Ciara Foley
Platinum tRavel
Ciara has been working in the Irish travel industry for nearly 30 years. Starting her career in Aer Lingus Reservations, she then went on to work in the retail end of the market in Budget Travel for three years, before moving to the World Travel Centre for nine years where she concentrated on the airline wholesale end of the market, and dealt closely with travel agents all over the country.
In 2005 she ventured out with her business partner and started up Platinum Travel and Fly Drive USA, a company they are extremely passionate about.
They specialise in luxury tailor-made holidays all over the world and are specialists in the USA. They also have a high volume of corporate travellers and are known for their attention to detail and personal service. Since starting back in 2005, the business has grown from strength to strength and they have a team of experts working on the Platinum
Travel team.
Ciara became vice-chairperson of Visit USA in November 2011, and became chairperson in April 2013 until
November 2015 – a role she thoroughly enjoyed working in.
Throughout her role in Visit USA and as MD of Platinum Travel, Ciara gained vast experience dealing with the Irish consumer and trade, and their requirements for support to increase visitation to the USA and worldwide.
With a very strong passion for women in business, in 2023, Ciara was elected chairperson of the Association of Women Travel Executives in Ireland. Along with a fantastic committee they are committed to encouraging, educating, and empowering women across the travel industry in Ireland. Ciara is always delighted to join forces with other Irish women to grow and develop our industry to the very best of their ability and help other female executives do the same.
One of the highlights of Ciara’s career to date was being invited to The White House where she met Barack Obama – an experience she will never forget! She loves to travel for work, go to concerts, spend time with her son and daughter as well as go for a run and endless walks with the dog to strike the work-life balance.