CIE Tours International hopes to recover this following an unusual fall off in passenger numbers in 2015.
Managing Director Brian Stack, who retires this year said
“We are pleased to say that bookings for 2016 have been going well and we are looking forward to exceeding 2015 levels of business despite external matters such as global terrorism threats and market fluctuations.
He was speaking at the annual Awards of Excellence presented to 98 suppliers who achieve more than 90% satisfaction rates from CIE Tours guests.
The prestigious awards were presented by the CIE Chairman, Vivienne Jupp at a special ceremony in Dublin Castle when it was revealed that the visitors carried by CIE Tours generated revenues of €83 million.
The main category Awards of Excellence went to:
Best 5 star hotel The Dunloe Hotel, Killarney
Best 4 star Hotel The Brehon Hotel, Killarney
Best 3 star hotel Benners Hotel, Dingle
Best hotel accommodation Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare
Best Hotel Dinner Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney
Best hotel service & hospitality Kee’s Hotel, Co. Donegal
Best event dinner/entertainment An evening of Food, Folklore and
Fairies, Brazen Head, Dublin
Best dinner feature Killeen House Hotel, Killarney
Best tour feature Glen Keen farm, Co. Mayo
Best walking tour Don & Barry’s Kinsale Historic Stroll
Best visit Slieve League Cliffs, Co. Donegal
Best lunch Davitt’s, Kenmare
National Heritage Award Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
CIE Tours International customers were most impressed by the Slieve League Cliffs in Co. Donegal. Other attractions that highly impressed were the Cliffs of Moher, which had the most visitors, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, the Skellig Experience, now featuring in the “Star Wars” movie, the Titanic Belfast, Waterford Crystal Factory, Trinity College’s Book of Kells and the Giant’s Causeway.
