News

Bookers to end 'misleading practices'

Expedia and trivago are among six online hotel booking sites that have agreed to changes to end misleading sales tactics and hidden charges after a probe by the UK competition watchdog.

Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com and ebookers were also investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after it raised “serious concerns” over tactics used in the sector.

The CMA said the sites have voluntarily committed to the measures, including changes to make search results clearer, to end pressure selling, make discount claims more transparent and display all compulsory charges.

The CMA said it will “do whatever it can” to bring the rest of the online hotel booking sector up to the same standard.

Castlemartyr Loss

Castlemartyr Hotel has posted a loss of €564,700 last year.

New accounts filed by Castlemartyr Country Hotel Resort Ltd cover the 12 months to the end of March 2018. Revenues increased 7% to €10.1m in the period.

In the accounts, the directors state that they plan changes in marketing and refurbishment to increase sales and help put the company into the black.

British businessman Martin Shaw bought the 220-acre resort for €14m in September 2015.

'Red Dublin' celebrates China NY

For the fourth year in a row, some of Dublin’s best-known buildings are lighting up in red to mark the 2019 Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Pig, which officiall

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y begins tomorrow (Chinese New Year’s Day is Tuesday, 5 February). The illumination has been organised by the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival in conjunction with Dublin City Council.

Pictured are HE Dr Yue Xiaoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland; opera singer Neria Wang; and Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, at the illumination of The Mansion House..

Numerous civic buildings and other sites around Dublin will be illuminated in red, including:

UAE up 63%

Since the announcement of visa-free travel for Emiratis to Ireland in early 2018, a major travel company in the Middle East – dnata Travel – has experienced a +63.5% increase in year-on-year travel from the UAE to Ireland.

A new report for 2018, compiled by dnata Travel, shows a +55% increase in travel arrangements to Ireland made within 14 days in advance of travelling and a +9% increase in bookings made within three days of travel, indicating the benefit of visa restrictions being lifted. In addition, the report reveals a +9% increase in solo travellers, with bednights and average booking spend also experiencing a year-on-year growth.