Widen your horizons
The travel professionals take us through the best long-haul destinations in 2018
The travel professionals share the best long-haul destinations in 2018
TROPICAL EXPERIENCE
Hasan Mutlu, the General Manager for Turkish Airlines in Ireland, says that while cities such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, Beijing and New York are popular with travellers in their network, 2018 will see this broadening to include paradise island destinations.
“The most popular long-haul holidays for 2018 will be the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Cape Town, Havana, Bangkok and Phuket. For Irish people, the Indian ocean, Thailand and South Africa have always been the most popular places. These locations have fabulous luxury hotels, fascinating religions, culture, shopping, nightlife, entertainment, safari, landscape, street food, and of course, the most beautiful beaches. With competitive fares in the market, these holiday destinations will be more easy to reach and will be far more affordable.”
The Maldives will become a very popular location in 2018 for long-haul fliers, in particular, the tropical paradise of Kuramathi Island and Kandolhu Island. Brian McCarthy of Island Marketing says that it is the uniqueness of the destinations which is the big attraction.
“Tourist arrivals in 2017 from Ireland to Maldives increased 17pc compared to 2016. The concept is one island, one resort offering a true and unique ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience. Each island is surrounded by its own reef and many resorts offer an ‘over water’ villa option, one of only a handful of destinations that offer this experience. I can’t think of another place that offers such pristine white sandy beaches and some of the best snorkelling opportunities in the world. You can sample the freshest of seafood and locally grown fruits. Grab a snorkel mask and head out to the house reef to experience the colourful marine life. You may even get to swim with a turtle or manta ray!”
Other unique locations worth the long journey are niche markets such as Zanzibar, Madagascar and Ulan Bator, which Hasan Mutlu says are preferred by solo travellers.
“When coming to these destinations for a solo trip, visitors are guaranteed to never feel alone,” adds Hasan Mutlu, Turkish Airlines. “These destinations are always popping and moving, full of people from across the world for solo travellers to meet and socialise with.”
Turkish Airlines has their main hub in Istanbul, which Hasan says is filled with attractions for those stopping off or sticking around.
“The natural beauty of Istanbul, which lies between east and west connecting Asia and Europe, amazes everyone who visits. There are incredible historical and religious sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia which offer spectacular architecture and history. It also has the best seafood restaurants in the world by the Bosphorus waterway and you can also take a boat tour along the Bosphorus.”
When planning a long-haul flight, Hasan has some advice for those worried about the length of the journey.
“If you are prepared properly before a long-haul trip, it can be fun and you can enjoy every minute of it. Depending on the schedule of the trip, you should sleep well in advance, especially if you are travelling with kids, otherwise it can be an endless trip. It’s also really important to talk to a knowledgeable travel agent before you book.”
AMERICAN MADE SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
With the USA being hugely popular with Irish travel makers in 2017, it’s no surprise that it is expected to remain one of the top countries to visit in 2018. Yvonne Muldoon, Director of Sales for Aer Lingus, says that the US holds a certain appeal for Irish people.
“Looking at 2017 trends, New York tops the poll as the go-to North American destination and is probably the first place we think of when the States is mentioned. Boston is also hugely popular given the strong Irish population that has been living there for generations. Orlando in Florida is one of the most popular destinations for families given the huge number of theme parks guaranteeing endless entertainment for the kids, and adults too of course!
“In 2018, we predict strong interest in places such as Seattle and Philadelphia. The Irish are explorers and have a certain curiosity, so we always love to discover new places. Miami, which was our new route in summer 2017 and now runs year round, is certainly hotting up as it really has something for all ages – shopping, nightlife, sunshine and beaches, and it is the number one cruising destination. Travelling stateside has never been easier, so people are really open to thinking about holidays outside Europe.”
In March 2018, Aer Lingus will be launching Ireland’s first direct service between Dublin and Philadelphia and a service to Seattle in March. Yvonne says no trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the city’s most iconic landmarks and pop culture treats.
“Few places in the city capture the spirit of Seattle like The Pike Place Market. It is one of the few authentic farmers’ markets in the United States which actually played a role in the city’s most iconic movie, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. When in the city, you must visit its most iconic landmark, the Space Needle. You can go up to the observation deck on the 605-foot tall tower and soak in the views of the city.
“Seattle is very famous for its music, so it’s no surprise that it boasts the Museum of Pop Culture, showcasing science fiction exhibitions, interactive pop stations and sound sculptures. Ships have also been sailing from Seattle to Alaska for hundreds of years and you can enjoy a cruise to glacier-carved fjords and forested islets.”
Yvonne says to always plan ahead when travelling to long-haul destinations, especially if you have young children as there is a longer flight time.
“The in-flight entertainment is packed with kids games, TV programmes and movies so there are endless hours of fun. Planning is key, from everything to packing