2026 marks Travel Department’s 30th anniversary. Since our first tour to Lake Garda in 1996, so much has changed. From new technologies that make booking and planning holidays easier, to an expanded portfolio of tours allowing our travellers to explore more destinations than ever before, we have highlighted how Travel Department and some aspects of the travel industry itself have evolved over the past 30 years.
More choice of destinations
The world has opened up so much with people going places they would not have considered in the late 1990s. We have gone from arranging only F1 tours to offering over 200 itineraries worldwide, spanning cultural trips, sun holidays, and river cruises. In the earlier days, we were more reliant on seasonal charter availability, which limited capacity and destinations. Today, low-cost airlines are reshaping short-haul travel and making it far more accessible to the wider market. Combined with a broader range of flights worldwide, we now have far more choice, giving our customers the opportunity to explore an even wider range of destinations. Building on our success in Ireland, we expanded into the UK in 2007, bringing our carefully designed group holiday experiences to a wider audience and offering more people the chance to travel together and discover new destinations.
Technology has simplified holiday planning
Technology has transformed the way people plan and book travel, giving travellers more control and convenience than ever before. It’s hard to believe, but back in 1996 there was no Travel Department website and Google hadn’t even been invented! At the time, we had no online resources or reference points to rely on, so after visiting a destination we returned armed only with our own photographs and a handful of hotel brochures. Prospective travellers would come to our office to view the pictures and get a sense of what awaited them. Every booking relied on paper files, faxes, and traditional phone calls, and people placed a great deal of trust in us, our knowledge, and our judgement to create a holiday that truly suited their needs. Today, with easy access to the internet, consumers can find far more information than ever before. Online travel agencies are now challenging traditional ways of offering and selling tours, changing how people research and book their trips. Our highly trained sales team can manage bookings quickly over the phone, in-person at our retail store at Arnotts Department Store in Dublin, and via email using our internal online system, providing a seamless experience for every customer. Customers can also browse and book directly through our website, easily reviewing tour itineraries and accessing all the information they need to make an informed choice. With this omni-channel distribution approach, we give customers the flexibility to choose how they plan and book their travel.
Small beginnings to an expert team
From small origins, Travel Department has become a recognised leader in Ireland for global escorted tours. We have grown from a single individual to a team of over 60 people today. Along the way, we’ve built a diverse, multicultural team whose combined experience and expertise help ensure every customer enjoys a seamless and memorable group holiday. From our products department, who design and develop our tours, to operations who make sure everything runs smoothly, everyone plays a key role in making each trip enjoyable and stress-free.
Increased focus on sustainability and responsible travel
Sustainability and responsible travel have become more important than ever, and Travel Department is committed to doing its part. We work with partners who share our values, making sure our tours have minimal environmental impact while supporting local communities. From choosing locally owned accommodation and transport to offering authentic cultural experiences, we aim to make travel enjoyable and responsible. Our goal is to help customers explore the world in a way that preserves destinations for the future, so every journey benefits both people and places.
Travel is more accessible
Travel has become more affordable over the years, with almost everyone now taking at least one, if not two, holidays a year. The rise of low-cost airlines, budget-friendly accommodation and competitive tour packages has made it possible for more people to explore destinations that were once considered a luxury. Rather than organising their own trip, many people still choose to travel with us, benefiting from cost savings and the advantage of our ability to secure competitive rates and access exclusive deals.
The core reason behind 30 years of travel success
Whilst we consistently adapt to trends and consumer demands, embracing technology and creating new tours, our business model has remained true from the very beginning. It has always been about carefully curated, well-executed guided group holidays. What makes our tours unique is that people can travel together, form genuine friendships, and explore places they might not have considered or reached on their own. There is a strong sense of shared experience, along with the reassurance and ease that comes from travelling as part of a group, something that independent travel still cannot fully offer today.
Ready to experience a Travel Department holiday?
We will continue to stay true to our core values for years to come, so start browsing our worldwide guided tours now and see where your next journey could take you.
