:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::ULTIMATE PACKAGE: Talk about commissions: Five-star hotel The Merrion in Dublin is paying agents 5% on "Out of this World," a three-night, ultra-luxury package available through December 2005. What's the big deal? For one, the package is priced at around $840,000 (more accurately, 700,000 euros), making the agent take , or about $42,000. That sky-high rate covers accommodations in a penthouse duplex suite, chauffeured vintage Rolls Royce or S Class Mercedes, and many "bespoke" experiences such as a private guided tour of Dublin Castle; helicopter transport to Ballybunion Golf Club for 18 holes with an Irish golf professional; lunch with the 30th Knight of Glin at his castle; a ball at 13th century Leixlip Castle with a performance by Riverdance; a portrait by artist Graham Knuttel; an eco-safari by Land Rover to the Wicklow Mountains; and much more. Contact The Merrion at (011) 353-1-603-0600 or www.merrionhotel.com, or The Leading Hotels of the World at (800) 223-6800, reservations@merrionhotel.com or www.lhw.com.
BRAND IRELAND: Tourism Ireland rolled out plans for promotional campaigns in the U.S. this fall and next summer aimed at increasing consumer demand; driving more business to Northern Ireland; helping tour operator partners; and developing transport links, in both the short and long term. Target niches include affluent suburbanites and city dwellers in U.S. gateways, bargain hunters, active travelers and the "VFR" (visiting friends and relatives) market. Products to be stress range from value vacations -- namely, escorted, fly-and-drive and golf packages -- to short breaks and city stays, and small groups. Outreach channels include TV ads; ads in magazines such as Travel & Leisure and Gourmet; a six-week online campaign at www.shamrock.org; and direct mailings to 5,000 "activity specialist" operators. In addition, a similar 2005 Kick Start Campaign is planned for next July. For more, visit www.shamrock.org.
ACTIVE INTEREST: In related news, Tourism Ireland launched a new sub-Web site at www.shamrock.org/activity, to promote active vacations in Ireland. The site lists all tour operators found in the organization's Special Interest Activity Brochure 2004 brochure, along with individual itineraries and new tour operator partners that came "on board" since printing.
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