Menu
19/06/2002
Website set to be first destination for travellers
A new research tool for Irish holidaymakers has been launched on the web by two Internet consultants from Northern Ireland which is designed to allow the user to become their own travel agent.
Jim Kennedy, a former executive of one of the north's leading transatlantic tour operators, and Dr Tony Crockford, who specialised in web-development following research into IT applications at Queen’s University spent almost 14 months in the creating Holiday-Special.com. The pair believe that the website "turns the ordinary internet user into a specialised travel agent".
By clicking on to www.holiday-special.com users can compare up-to-the-minute offers of almost 45 tour operators and over 12 million holidays, and book it through a call centre. Holidaymakers can also check on airport parking, car-hire arrangements and select a hotel or villa from over 50,000 possible facilities available on the net.
The system is "transparent" and the web designers have aimed to provide a database accessing a fuller range of options that would be available to the average high-street travel agent.
Mr Kennedy said: "Firstly, the site offers a completely impartial selection of travel offers over-riding any commission-linked options. Secondly it automatically interrogates tour-operators' systems on an instantaneous basis - as soon as a deal becomes available on any tour operator’s system our website will have access to it. Traditional travel agents have to trawl through the systems on a hit or miss basis."
The designers believe the website will "revolutionise travel bookings… (as it) is the only one on the Internet especially tuned to the needs of the holiday-maker in Ireland - North or South – with departures from all major airports including Belfast, City of Derry and Dublin".
(GMcG)
Jim Kennedy, a former executive of one of the north's leading transatlantic tour operators, and Dr Tony Crockford, who specialised in web-development following research into IT applications at Queen’s University spent almost 14 months in the creating Holiday-Special.com. The pair believe that the website "turns the ordinary internet user into a specialised travel agent".
By clicking on to www.holiday-special.com users can compare up-to-the-minute offers of almost 45 tour operators and over 12 million holidays, and book it through a call centre. Holidaymakers can also check on airport parking, car-hire arrangements and select a hotel or villa from over 50,000 possible facilities available on the net.
The system is "transparent" and the web designers have aimed to provide a database accessing a fuller range of options that would be available to the average high-street travel agent.
Mr Kennedy said: "Firstly, the site offers a completely impartial selection of travel offers over-riding any commission-linked options. Secondly it automatically interrogates tour-operators' systems on an instantaneous basis - as soon as a deal becomes available on any tour operator’s system our website will have access to it. Traditional travel agents have to trawl through the systems on a hit or miss basis."
The designers believe the website will "revolutionise travel bookings… (as it) is the only one on the Internet especially tuned to the needs of the holiday-maker in Ireland - North or South – with departures from all major airports including Belfast, City of Derry and Dublin".
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Belfast Christmas Market Announces Dublin Express As Official Travel Partner
Belfast Christmas Market is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style, with the announcement of Dublin Express as its official travel partner. Opening its gates on November 16th at 12 noon, the market is expected to attract over a million visitors.
Belfast Christmas Market Announces Dublin Express As Official Travel Partner
Belfast Christmas Market is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style, with the announcement of Dublin Express as its official travel partner. Opening its gates on November 16th at 12 noon, the market is expected to attract over a million visitors.
05 June 2002
'Revolutionary' NI holiday booking website launched
A new website which is set to revolutionise holiday booking for Northern Ireland internet users has been launched. The unique development by two internet consultants from Northern Ireland have combined their talents to create Holiday-Special.com, a website that turns the ordinary internet user into a specialised travel agent. By visiting www.
'Revolutionary' NI holiday booking website launched
A new website which is set to revolutionise holiday booking for Northern Ireland internet users has been launched. The unique development by two internet consultants from Northern Ireland have combined their talents to create Holiday-Special.com, a website that turns the ordinary internet user into a specialised travel agent. By visiting www.
11 November 2020
'Travel Window' Issued To Allow Students To Get Home For Christmas
NI students at universities in England will be allowed to travel home once the current regional lockdown ends on 02 December.
'Travel Window' Issued To Allow Students To Get Home For Christmas
NI students at universities in England will be allowed to travel home once the current regional lockdown ends on 02 December.
23 July 2001
Eligibility for school travel passes to be extended
Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, has taken action to ensure that schoolchildren will be entitled to travel at half-fare rate on public transport starting in September.
Eligibility for school travel passes to be extended
Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, has taken action to ensure that schoolchildren will be entitled to travel at half-fare rate on public transport starting in September.
18 May 2011
Tourism Website Praises Top Belfast Tour
A Belfast music tour is one of the top ten 'must see' music attractions in the United Kingdom, according to the official tourism website, VisitBritain.ie. The Belfast City Council-backed Belfast Music Tour takes you through the many significant areas of interest where legends of rock and pop were made and played in the Capital.
Tourism Website Praises Top Belfast Tour
A Belfast music tour is one of the top ten 'must see' music attractions in the United Kingdom, according to the official tourism website, VisitBritain.ie. The Belfast City Council-backed Belfast Music Tour takes you through the many significant areas of interest where legends of rock and pop were made and played in the Capital.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
