CIÉ Tours has reported a 20 per cent increase in business this year which it attributes to lower prices and heavy promotion in the critical US market.
The company, which has provided organised bus tours of Ireland for nearly 80 years, handed out 40 awards at its annual International Awards of Excellence this week.
The awards are chosen by 30,000 CIÉ Tours customers who visited Ireland and provided feedback on their stay. Dun Aengus Fort, Clonmacnoise, Glendalough, the Old Jameson Distillery and the Cliffs of Moher were some of the winners.
The best five-star hotel was the Killarney Park Hotel, the best four-star was the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel and the best three-star hotel was the Granville Hotel in Waterford. The best BB/farmhouse went to Applecroft House in Killarney.
CIÉ Tours managing director Brian Stack said the awards provide invaluable feedback to the industry. He believed the success of CIÉ Tours reflected the more competitive nature of Irish tourism.
He said that 40 per cent of its bookings came through recommendations made by other tourists.
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