If you can’t have a good time in Dublin, there’s something wrong with you. This is not a subjective statement – it’s simply a fact.
But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the group of 30 travel advisors – half from Canada and half from the U.S. — who travelled to Ireland for the latest incarnation of the Air Canada-United Race.
Greeted with the effusive hospitality the island is famous for, participants have spent the past three days eating, drinking, laughing and learning more about one of the world’s most popular destinations. For a surprising majority it was a first-time visit to the Emerald Isle, and they’ve clearly succumbed to its manifold charms.
Members of the winning team pose with Dublin daughter Molly Malone. (Photo Credit: Tourism Ireland)
After a Sunday morning arrival for most, the first day was spent on a hop-on, hop-off tour, familiarizing racers with the city, followed by a demonstration and lesson in Irish dance. Copious amounts of fine Irish produce was on the menu for lunch and dinner too, a harbinger of delicious things to come
Day 2 was the marquee event. In ‘Amazing Race’ fashion, six teams of advisors, travel media and local hosts ambled through the streets of the ancient city, using a GPS-enabled map to unlock challenges, answer city-knowledge questions, embarrass themselves to locals and act out strange scenarios in photos and videos. Points were awarded for both correctness and creativity.
There was silliness and surprise along the way. One group met the Lord Mayor of the city and posed for a photo on the steps of his mansion. Another managed to convince a priest to appear in a vampire video in a nod to Bram Stoker, the Dubliner who wrote the famous novel Dracula. Only in Dublin? To be sure.
The Blarney Bunch II gets ready to set out on the race. (Photo Credit: Air Canada)
While the Air Canada commitment to the ‘Race’ is nearing 20 years, 2024 marked the second with United Airlines as a full partner. UA is a critical partner for Canada’s flagship airline, and this year its marketing and sales teams handled much of the race logistics.
Tourism Ireland is the host partner, and its staff in Canada, the U.S. and Ireland clearly put their heart and soul in ensuring a good time is had by all.
Earning a Race invitation is a challenge. United says an amazing 1,200 agencies across Canada and the U.S. applied, more than double the previous year. Part of the criteria included a six-week educational program, focused on destination knowledge and the products and services of the host airlines. With only 30 agents chosen, the impact and knowledge gain is much broader.
The instructions were to replicate the statue. Great job! (Photo Credit: Air Canada)
Each team chose its own name, creative monikers including The Dublin Dashers, The Blarney Bunch II, The Shamrock Squad and The Wilde Ones. Members of the winning team – The Shamrock Squad — earned the grand prize of a return trip to Ireland on AC or UA.
But truly everyone was a winner (I can say that as a member of the fourth-place team!), including the airlines, Tourism Ireland, advisors and local suppliers, 60 of whom flocked to a full-day of speed-meetings with advisors on the day after the race.
The Dublin portion of the trip ended with a visit to Johnnie Fox’s, ‘the highest pub in Ireland,’ for dinner and an incredible show of traditional Irish music and dance. The groups then split off in four directions to explore one of the island’s distinct regions: the Wild Atlantic Way, the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East and Northern Ireland.
Honouring a guitar god: the Wilde Croissants & Bagels team rocks out. (Photo Credit: Air Canada)
TravelPulse Canada is heading north, to the homeland of my mother’s parents. Stay tuned for more coverage on our Facebook page and at TravelPulse Canada
