Top 50 2024 - Republic of Ireland - Fahy Travel, Galway

In its current form, Fahy Travel has been serving the people of Galway since 1962, though as a vintage poster on the wall attests, managing director Maura Fahy’s family has been arranging travel right back to the late 19th century! Having sometimes had customers queuing out the door, the agency introduced an appointments-only model to make sure it could give everybody unhurried attention. Meanwhile, the beginning and end of each day are blocked off to respond to phone enquiries. A new website helps flag customers’ travel interests before they meet with their consultant, and also allows simple city breaks to be booked online. After a full year in operation the appointment scheme is proving popular with both customers and staff. Team welfare has been another post-pandemic focus, with meetings arranged to ensure everyone takes a collective lunch hour and has the chance to refresh and refuel even on busy days. An 80-person wedding booking onboard a cruise ship and a disabled client’s accessible holiday with a support team took some expert planning, but Fahy Travel really excels when the heat is on. The early arrival of twins by surrogate prompted a dad’s dash to Mexico, the hasty rearrangements coordinated by the agency’s consultants while they were onboard a train. Its roomy premises allows Fahy Travel to host themed customer nights a few times a year, one of which recently celebrated five years of the agency’s dedicated cruise shop. Getting involved in the community, Fahy Travel sponsors several local groups and has acted as a drop-in swap shop to raise funds for charity.  It has also recently run some exciting competitions in conjunction with travel companies, giving away €1,000 holiday spending money each to two lucky customers.

fahytravel.ie