A round-up of other travel news in brief
Travel awards
Budget Travel won three prizes at the Irish Consumer Travel Awards on Tuesday: for best high-street travel agent, best European tour operator and best family travel product. The consumers who voted say that Spain is best for sun, that Paris is the best citybreak and best European destination and that Galway is the best Irish destination. New York was awarded best North American destination and best destination overall, while Aer Lingus scooped two awards, for best short-haul airline and best long-haul airline. The Cliffs of Moher won best Irish visitor attraction, while the Eiffel Tower was voted best international visitor attraction.
Hotel pays for petrol
As Irish hotels compete for business, the Claregalway Hotel is the latest to come up with an original promotion. Customers booking a three-night May bank-holiday vacation will get a €50 petrol voucher for their trouble, reducing the cost of their break. Its rate for three nights' bed and breakfast plus two dinners is €199, with under-12s staying free. www.claregalwayhotel.ie.
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The number of cruise ships set to visit Dublin Port this year, contributing at least €35 million to the local economyin money spent by 75,000 passengers and crew