Last month, the island of Ireland hosted its first ever Ireland Specialists Mega Fam trip. Twelve top-performing agents from six markets, Australia, China, India, GCC, South Africa and New Zealand, travelled to Ireland to battle it out in daily challenges to be crowned the world’s first and only Emerald Ireland Specialist 2015.
In Northern Ireland they were given the opportunity to experience the rich history of the city of Belfast, visiting Europe’s number one visitor attraction, Titanic Belfast and even stayed in Holywood, the home of one of the world’s best golfers, Rory McIlroy.
They then moved onto the Republic of Ireland, where they were part of one of the first groups to explore Ireland’s newest tourist trail, Ireland’s Ancient East. This trail celebrates Ancient Ireland, Early Christian Ireland, Medieval Ireland and Early Anglo Ireland experienced through visits to Newgrange, the Battle of the Boyne Centre and Trim Castle.
The experience ended in Dublin, where they enjoyed the Capital’s delicious food scene and vibrant city life and the surrounding seaside towns of Malahide and Howth.
The winner was announced on the final night and Adriana Neil Stevens from Travel Associates in Australia was crowned the first ever Emerald Ireland’s Specialist.
Ireland Specialists is an e-learning travel trade training programme, run by Tourism Ireland, which educates international travel trade about the island of Ireland. Agents must study six modules and complete quizzes in an attempt to obtain a perfect score and the prestigious gold Ireland Specialists certificate. This certificate, displayed on the operator’s website, symbolises an expert knowledge on holidays on the island of Ireland.
Following the success of the Ireland Specialists Mega Fam trip, travel trade from around the globe will be given a chance to participate and win a place on next year’s Mega Fam to Ireland. To become a Gold Specialist and to be in with a chance to win, visit irelandspecialists.com.