Portobello Institute Blog

The movers and shakers of the travel industry were feted at the Irish Travel and Trade awards with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, receiving three major awards at the 18th annual Irish Travel Trade News Awards.

The Abu Dhabi based airline, which will celebrate its third anniversary of services to Ireland in July, was named Best Business Class Airline for the third year running. Etihad was also awarded the Best Airline to the Middle East and Africa for the second year in a row, and received the Best Airline to Asia Pacific award for the first time. Other winners were Sun Holidays for Best Sun Holiday Tour Operator, Topflight for best Ski Tour Operator, Aerlingus for best airline to Europe, Barcelona was named the best European city and Spain scooping the best National Tourist Office gong. New York received the best North American city destination while Continental was deemed the best airline to fly with to North America. Dubai was named the best Middle East/Africa destination while Thailand won the best Asia/Pacific destination. And if hitting the high seas is your idea of fun, you are onto a winner with Stena Line – it was named best ferry company. Royal Carribean International took the prize for the best cruise company while Silversea was named the best luxury cruise company. Hertz took the prize for best business car rental company and teh marriot scooped the best budge worldwide hotel group. If you have any more news on whats hot in the travel industry or what flights/destinations or holidays have appealed to you please let us know……