Title: Luxury Travel in Ireland Forecast - January 2009

2009 Is going to be a challenging year with some top hotels in Ireland closing their doors for the foreseeable future. Waterford Crystal looks like it will be taken over soon and the economy is slowing rapidly. There are favorable outcomes from a slowdown, which is inevitable. Prices for hotels have stayed the same for 2009 as 2008 and gone down in many cases. We also have seen better value in booking golf, gourmet restaurants and visitor attractions as everybody is aware of keeping their costs realistic. Personally I think the best aspect of a slowdown is seeing who will survive and the innovative ways business finds to keep going. Of course economic slowdowns to provide some great reasons to travel.

1. Better Emphasis by Suppliers on Delivering Value & Quality.

2. Less congestion in beautiful areas due to reduced visitor numbers.

3. The opportunity to make an economic difference by travelling to remote areas affected by slowing economy.

4. Meeting Irish People again (We were so busy working for the last ten years we forgot to go out and enjoy ourselves)

We look forward to seeing you in Ireland in 2009 - Buiochas Le Dia (Thanks Be to God!!)

 

- By Shane Leahy - 11/01/2009

 

 

Title: Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas - December 2008

Luxury Events and Tours of Ireland took part in their inaugural Travel and Trade Expo in the wonderfully opulent Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shane Leahy represented the company armed with brochures, maps, cards, gift certificates and a laptop. We were joined by other luxury providers and tour operators from Ireland.

Over the course of the two days we met travel agents and independent tour planners from all corners of North America and a few from beyond. Virtuoso, Signature, Carlson Wagonlit and American Express Travel were well represented. I would like to thank the Spanish Hotel chain for the great champagne ( or was it Cava ??), the beautiful eye candy from southern Europe and the lovely Italian ladies for great conversation and sharing their Vin Santo and biscuits when we had not time to grab a sandwich. We look forward to 2009 at the Mandalay Bay Resort, representing Ireland and our luxury travel service.

- By Shane Leahy - 18/12/2008

Title : Manson & Von Teese Wedding - December 2006
As well as providing the venue for last weekend's lavish wedding ceremony of American shock rocker Marilyn Manson and his long time girlfriend Dita von Teese, Tipperary also made a major contribution to the organization of the event. Despite the veil of secrecy and the tight security that surrounded the ceremony at the Gurteen Le Paor mansion in Kilsheelan on Saturday evening, The Nationalist has learned that three members of the Leahy family were directly involved in the smooth running of the weekend's festivities.

The guests were reported to be highly impressed by their visit to the area, and the level of organization and hospitality experienced over the weekend.

By: Nationalist Newspaper 10/12/2006