Sky’s the limit for Galway travel agency

Galway people are on the move — with holiday bookings at one city-based travel agency, Corrib Travel, up by a whopping 50% this year.

To help cope with the demand, Corrib Travel have been on the move themselves, to bright modern new premises on Eyre Square – between Richardson’s and Fibber Magees – and have also doubled their staff.

The big demand this year among Galway holidaymakers is for more adventure-type breaks … especially in the value-for-money destinations in Asia and South America.

With security concerns having all but wiped out some of the most popular North African tourist trades, European destinations are getting more and more expensive.

But, according to Corrib Travel Manager, Clodagh Connolly, there is great value to be had for holidaymakers willing to go a little further afield.

“People are increasingly looking for holidays that are more than just beach breaks, and adventure holidays are becoming big business.

“The options are limitless — everything from safaris in Africa to climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, trekking, island hopping around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and so on

“We’re seeing more and more Galway people looking for a holiday with a combination of beach, history and adventure.”

These are the kind of holidays becoming particularly popular with honeymooners and couples — with cruising, both in Europe and the Caribbean, also growing in popularity every year, she said.

One of the challenges facing travel agencies is to to make younger holidaymakers especially aware of the kind of services they provide, and the advantages they offer over online bookings.

“You set the parameters, give us your wish list for the kind of holiday you want, and we will find the flights, the accommodation, the perfect tour or activity, without all the hassle and the uncertainty of trying to do it online yourself.”

South America is a good example of a destination that’s difficult enough to do by yourself, according to Clodagh Connolly — and doing an independent itinerary yourself could end up costing you as much as 50% more than booking a tour.

“People might say ‘Oh I don’t want to go on a tour bus, sitting on a coach with a big crowd of other people’. But these tours are not like that, they cater for small numbers, you stay in people’s houses like B&Bs and get into the heart of the area you are travelling through.”

Clodagh also stresses the peace of mind which booking through a travel agent can bring: “We’re getting more people coming to us who’ve maybe been burned on the internet in the past, and didn’t get what they wanted or what they expected

“With us, on the other hand, we are part of the World Choice group which gives us access to holiday deals all over the world, we are bonded so everything is secure, and you have someone to contact at the end of the phone in the event of an unseen hitch while you’re away.”