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Qantas' 'Project Sunrise' Reaches Major Milestone with Successful Test Flight
Qantas has passed a major milestone in its much-anticipated Project Sunrise programme - which will see it fly the world's longest route: directly between London and Sydney from next year - with the successful completion of its first test flight. The Airbus A350-1000ULR set to conquer the final frontier of long-haul travel landed on Australian soil for the first time today, last month as part of the flight test campaign. The first A350-1000ULR to take to the skies touched down
Aug 62 min read


Loveholidays Offers 4 Top Family Travel Tips for Booking Last Minute Getaways
With the school summer holidays in full swing, many Irish families are preparing to jet off on their well-earned getaways. To help families get the best value for money and book their trips with confidence, Siobhain Mulholland, travel expert and Operations Director for Ireland at loveholidays has revealed some of her top family travel tips when booking a last-minute getaway. From securing the best deal to ensuring your holiday is fully protected, Siobhain shares insider knowl
Aug 63 min read


Zaragoza Emerges as Surprise Best Option to View Total Solar Eclipse in Spain
On 12 August 2026, millions of people are expected to travel to Spain to witness one of Europe’s most anticipated natural events - a total solar eclipse. Searches for “total eclipse” reached 1.5 million over the past month alone, but new analysis from global travel booking platform Omio suggests the country’s best viewing location isn’t where many visitors would expect. Using its new Solar Eclipse Index, Omio analysed destinations across Spain, considering factors such as ecl
Aug 63 min read


WTTC: 'Over $1 Trillion Investment in Travel & Tourism Signals Vote of Confidence in Sector's Future'
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its latest Economic Impact Research (EIR): Global Trends Report, highlighting how investment and policy support are key drivers of growth in the global Travel & Tourism sector. The research, sponsored by Chase Travel, Lead Research Partner, shows that global Travel & Tourism investment exceeded $1 trillion in 2025, growing by 8.5% year-on-year, as the whole sector outperformed the wider global economy and contributed a r
Aug 63 min read


Research Shows Massive Savings Opportunities for Family Holidays in September Rather than August
Irish families who have the flexibility to travel after the peak summer season can save almost €1,000 on the cost of a family holiday by choosing to travel in September instead of August, according to new research from Click&Go Holidays. The online travel company compared package holiday prices for a family of two adults and two children across five of Ireland's most popular family holiday destinations – Salou, the Algarve, Majorca, the Costa del Sol and Gran Canaria – and fo
Aug 62 min read


Viva Moments Photographer of the Year Competition - August Category Now Open!
ITTN and Viva Cruises Launch ‘Viva Moments – Photographer of the Year’ – An Agent Category in the Irish Travel Trade Awards 2026.
Aug 52 min read


ITTN Talks to Brand USA's Jackie Ennis
ITTN’s Sharon Jordan sat down with Jackie Ennis, Vice President, Global Trade Development at Brand USA, to find out how the organisation is supporting travel agents and tour operators with free training, itinerary planning tools and marketing resources.
Aug 43 min read


Bhutan and Uzbekistan Challenging Japan's Dominance on Asian Cultural Travel Trail, OROKO Claims
For more than a decade, Japan has dominated conversations around cultural travel in Asia. From Kyoto's ancient temples and centuries-old traditions to Tokyo's food scene and contemporary design, it has become a bucket-list destination for those seeking authentic cultural experiences. Now, according to luxury travel specialist OROKO, a growing number of experienced holidaymakers are asking a different question: "We've done Japan. Where next?" Rather than revisiting familiar de
Jul 303 min read


ITTN Talks to AmaWaterways’ Katrina Latimer
ITTN’s Sharon Jordan had a very informative but relaxed interview with Katrina Latimer, AMA Waterways, Strategic Key Account Manager, Retail & Consortia UK & Ireland.
Jul 301 min read


WTTC Unveils 7 Principles to Help Destinations Turn Tourism Growth into Shared Prosperity
As international travel continues to grow, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) encourages proactive and holistic destination stewardship, one that helps governments, destinations and the private sector work together to ensure tourism creates lasting value for residents, businesses and visitors alike. WTTC believes that, when managed proactively, tourism growth provides significant opportunities for destinations, businesses and residents alike. With stronger planning, co
Jul 293 min read


Poland's Port City of Gdynia Joins UNESCO World Heritage List
Poland's port city of Gdynia has joined the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the first Polish entry recognised as a complete urban complex, as Gdynia marks 100 years since receiving city rights. Gdynia's modernist city centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, following a decision taken at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Making it the first entry from Poland recognised as a complete modernist urban complex. The inscription lands
Jul 292 min read


OROKO Travel: Luxury Demand Shifting Towards Cooler Climes
As periods of extreme summer heat become an increasingly familiar feature across southern Europe, Irish luxury travel specialist OROKO is seeing growing demand for destinations that offer a cooler, more active alternative to the traditional Mediterranean beach holiday. The shift reflects wider travel trends. Research from the European Travel Commission found that 28% of European holidaymakers are actively considering cooler destinations to avoid extreme summer temperatures. F
Jul 282 min read


India's Tourism Industry to Double in Size Over Next 10 Years, WTTC Forecasts
India has established itself as one of the world's fastest-growing Travel & Tourism economies, driven by a thriving domestic market, significant investment in infrastructure, and an extraordinary tourism offering that keeps international visitors staying longer than almost anywhere else in the world. According to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the country's next opportunity is to build on these achievements by attracting a greater share of intern
Jul 283 min read


TTC Strengthens Investment in Ireland via Dedicated Business Development Support from Zoe Walsh in Partnership with ITTN
The Travel Corporation (TTC) Ireland is delighted to announce that, in partnership with ITTN, Zoe Walsh will provide dedicated Business Development support for the Irish travel trade from 1 August 2026. Zoe will lead TTC's travel trade engagement across Ireland, focusing on strengthening relationships with existing agency partners, identifying new commercial opportunities and expanding the market presence of TTC's award-winning portfolio of touring brands, including Costsaver
Jul 281 min read


Avignon Ranked Best European City for Fringe Festival Trips
Avignon has been named the best city in Europe for a Fringe festival trip. The French city ranked first after balancing a large programme of 1,780 shows with warmer weather and relatively affordable dining. The team at Stasher analysed UK and European cities with established Fringe or Fringe-style festivals. Each destination was scored across seven weighted factors: number of shows, festival duration, meal and hotel prices, historical average temperature during the festival d
Jul 282 min read


Virgin Atlantic to Bring Air Taxis to UK in Deal with Joby Aviation
Virgin Atlantic has signed a definitive agreement with air taxi producer Joby Aviation to bring the latter's services to the UK. The agreement converts the partnership announced in 2025 into a binding, multi-year commercial framework, establishing Virgin Atlantic as Joby's exclusive airline partner for air taxi services in the UK. The collaboration builds on Joby's existing partnership with Delta Air Lines, which holds a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, bringing together three b
Jul 272 min read


TUI Blue Expands Beyond Beach Resorts into City Break Destinations: Lisbon & Seville First Up
TUI Blue has announced an expansion from just beach resort destinations into European city break destinations as well; with its first leisure hotels to open in Lisbon and Seville. The expansion marks a significant milestone in the brand's growth strategy and opens a new chapter for TUI Blue beyond its established portfolio of leisure hotels in beach, mountain and resort destinations. TUI Blue Sevilla Suites will become the first TUI Blue hotel to open in a European city. The
Jul 273 min read


Explora III is officially delivered in Genoa
ITTN’s Zoe travelled to Genoa this week where she had the opportunity to experience EXPLORA III as the ship was officially delivered, marking the halfway milestone in Explora Journeys’ six-ship fleet with three ships now sailing worldwide. EXPLORA III is the first LNG-capable vessel in the fleet, representing the next step in the brand’s environmental strategy and future-ready design and it’s also the most spacious introducing enhanced public areas, expanded wellness and culi
Jul 244 min read


Inside Halloween Horror Nights 35 with Universal Orlando’s Lora Sauls
Universal Orlando Resort is preparing for one of its biggest Halloween Horror Nights events yet, with the return of two of its most iconic characters, a new haunted house based on Evil Dead Burn and a host of new attractions across its global portfolio. Speaking in Dublin ahead of the launch of Halloween Horror Nights 35, Lora Sauls, Assistant Director of Creative Development at Universal Orlando Resort, alongside senior executives Kevin Gibson and Alison Solo-Geistoa, outlin
Jul 225 min read


ITTN Webinar Presents Trafalgar River Cruise
Join Trafalgar on the 29th July at 9.30am and learn about their new River Cruise product on the Rhine and Danube in 2026 and France in 2027. Find out what makes this product special and unique and why this is an incredible opportunity to offer touring and river cruising to your clients. Sign up by registering HERE
Jul 211 min read
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