Top Republic of Ireland Agency 2023 - Barter's Travelnet, Cork

Top Agency in the Republic of Ireland 2023
Barter’s Travelnet, Cork

Based in the beating heart of Cork city, 158-year-old travel agency Barter’s Travelnet has been run by the same family for four generations. 

With George Barter now in his late 70s, the day-to-day running of the agency is headed up by managing director Tom Randles, who has worked for Barter’s Travelnet for 25 years. 

There’s now a recently expanded team of seven people marketing and selling holidays from the recently refurbished store, with staff members a refreshing mix of vastly knowledgeable, long-standing travel industry professionals and young talent bringing innovative ideas into the business.

One such idea is a brand-new podcast featuring agents’ stories of how they fell in love with travel to inspire customers about destinations all around the world. The Soundcloud series is called Bartie’s Wanderlog (named after the agency’s fun letter-B mascot, Bartie) and is extending the agency’s reach beyond its already impressive social media following. One recent ski holiday video they shared on TikTok received more than 18,000 views!

While a rebrand in February 2022 gave the agency a new lease of life, customer care remained king. The business maintains a 4.7-star rating on Google, and more than 90% of customers will make a further booking after their first. The team organises champagne for customers celebrating special occasions, offers regular prize giveaways and runs a 24-hour helpline so they can be there for customers’ needs no matter the time of day.

Not only does Barter’s Travelnet support its clients, but its local charities too. 

In the past year the team has fundraised for Cork Cancer Care Centre and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, for which it partnered with CaminoByTheWay to arrange charity walks.

A passion for responsible travel drives the team to regularly recommend more sustainable accommodation and cruise options, as well as publish advice for customers on how to reduce human impact on the environment while travelling. The future of Barter’s Travelnet looks very bright indeed. 

travelnet.ie