Top Republic of Ireland Agency 2024 - Magic Vacations, Kinsale

Republic of Ireland’s Top Agency 2024
Magic Vacations, Kinsale

In the pretty coastal town of Kinsale, near Cork, 16-year-old Magic Vacations is known as Ireland’s theme park holiday specialist thanks to exclusive tie-ups with Disneyland Paris and Legoland Windsor. A shop makeover with murals and attractive lighting has brought a touch of sunshine to the agency, even on cloudy days. A colour-coded and mobile-friendly website is also new, backed by extended staff hours to support customers who prefer to make evening enquiries. Far-flung clients are even put up overnight in Kinsale so they can meet the team in person through the agency’s Get a Staycation, Get a Vacation initiative. With “learning, learning, learning” the mantra of managing director John Barrett, team members regularly visit the theme parks the agency sells in person. Insider contacts mean they can arrange VIP tours and one-to-one character meets for special occasions. Christmas markets and Lapland breaks are also popular with customers, and Magic Vacations has seen a big growth in cruise bookings this year. One team member runs the agency’s concierge service, ensuring clients don’t miss any extras that could make their holiday experience, like show tickets, helicopter tours or even personal shoppers. As with all the best agencies, problem solving is another skill. In the last year this has ranged from helping clients with special needs to rerouting a school group affected by airport strikes. Magic Vacations’ MVTV films have been hugely popular. The staff now record monthly broadcasts for the agency’s Facebook page, including interviews with tour operators, live reports from onboard cruise ships and an introduction to Emirates’ business class suites. Last September saw the agency’s second Big 10 travel event, with prizes up for grabs and upgrades given to anyone who booked on the day. The day was a huge success, with more than 1,000 people attending.

magicvacations.ie