Press Release

ITAA launch Irish Travel Industry Awards 2027
Royal Caribbean announced as headline sponsor

Dublin, 30th July 2026  The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) is delighted to announce that Royal Caribbean has been confirmed as the headline sponsor of the 2027 Irish Travel Industry Awards, which will take place in the Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House on Thursday, 21st January 2027.

Now firmly established as the premier awards event for the Irish travel trade, the Irish Travel Industry Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding customer service across every sector of the industry. The awards recognise the achievements of travel agents, suppliers and industry professionals who continue to raise standards and drive the industry forward.

Last year’s awards saw Click&Go Holidays named Travel Agency of the Year (10+ Employees), while Navan Travel received the award for Travel Agency of the Year (Fewer than 10 Employees). The 2027 Awards promise another evening of celebration, recognising those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, innovation and professionalism.

The Travel Agency Awards celebrate the outstanding contribution travel agents and their teams make to the Irish travel industry. For the first time, these awards are open to all licensed travel agencies in the Republic of Ireland creating a more inclusive awards that showcases the talent and professionalism of Ireland’s travel sector. 

The Supplier Awards recognise excellence across the travel industry, with categories spanning all areas including air travel, tour operators, cruise lines, travel agency, tour operators, industry service providers, trade relations, technology and destinations. This year, voting has been expanded to allow all staff working in travel agencies licensed in the Republic to vote for their preferred suppliers, with each agency’s cumulative vote determining its final vote.

The prestigious Contribution to the Travel Industry Award will once again honour an individual who has made an exceptional and lasting contribution to the Irish travel sector.

Gerard Nolan, Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA, Royal Caribbean said: “Our travel agent partners play a key role in our success, and we’re proud to support the Irish Travel Industry Awards 2027 as headline sponsor. Ireland continues to be an important market for Royal Caribbean, and with the recent European debut of Legend of the Seas, we’re excited to build on our momentum by continuing to invest in the market and support the Irish travel trade. We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements, innovation and professionalism that define our industry, and recognising the successes of our travel partners.”

Clare Dunne, CEO of the ITAA, commented, “The Irish Travel Industry Awards are one of the highlights of the year for our industry, bringing together travel professionals from across the country to celebrate excellence, reconnect with colleagues and recognise the outstanding contribution of travel agents and suppliers. These awards acknowledge the expertise, innovation and commitment to customer service that continue to drive our industry forward, and it is important that we celebrate those achievements.”

“We are delighted to welcome Royal Caribbean as our headline sponsor for the 2027 Awards. As one of the world’s leading holiday brands and a long-standing supporter of the travel trade, they are an ideal partner for the Awards, and we look forward to working closely with them in the months ahead.”

“This year also marks an exciting milestone, as the Travel Agent Awards are open for the first time to all licensed travel agents across the Republic of Ireland. We are proud to make the Awards more inclusive and encourage as many agents as possible to enter. We are also expanding participation in the Supplier Awards by opening voting to all agency staff, and we look forward to seeing strong engagement from across the industry.”

The awards are an initiative of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) and are organised on their behalf by Business Exhibitions Limited. 

Given the success of the Irish Travel Industry Awards each year, tables are in high demand and are available to book now. For all ticket bookings and enquiries please contact Maria Hourican on +353 (0) 1 291 3707 or email maria@bizex.ie. 

For further sponsorship enquiries contact clare@itaa.ie. To find out more information visit http://irishtravelindustryawards.com

Key Dates

Travel Agency Awards Entries open: 2nd October 2026 Entries close: 30th November 2026

Supplier Awards Voting opens: 1st December 2026 Voting closes: 21st December 2026

Voting will be open to all Travel Agents working in licensed agencies to vote for their preferred suppliers. Winners will be decided through an open vote by all agency staff, whereby individuals are encouraged to vote for their preferred supplier. The cumulative vote of each agency will then form that agency’s final vote. 

ENDS

About the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA):
The ITAA represents Ireland’s travel Industry, bringing together over 100 travel agent members and 70 partners. ITAA members cover over 140 outlets in different towns and cities throughout the Republic of Ireland. All travel agent members are bonded and licensed with the IAA (Irish Aviation Authority) to trade in the Republic of Ireland.

For further information please contact: 

Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications, kathryn.byrne@limelight.ie, 085 233 6033 / 01 668 0600