BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR

THERE are few things that will help banish those dreaded post-Christmas blues more than a holiday.

Whether it’s a week in the sun, a luxury cruise, a road trip across the USA, a cultural city break, camping trip or staycation closer to home, having a holiday to look forward to is the perfect antidote to the annual seasonal slump we feel when the festive season comes to a close.

With this in mind, the timing couldn’t be better for the 33^rd annual Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News, which takes place at the ICC Belfast at The Waterfront Hall from Friday January 9 until Sunday January 11.

Whatever your preferred holiday choice or destination, Holiday World Show Belfast is a perfect starting point to help people recharge their batteries and plan a getaway in 2026.

Promising ‘a world of travel inspiration’, exclusive ‘show only’ deals and expert advice, a visit to Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News is set to transform January from one of the most depressing months of the year into a time of excitement and anticipation for the thousands of holidaymakers across Northern Ireland who attend the show every year.

“Christmas is such a magical time of the year, it’s no surprise that we all feel a little flat when it’s over and we have to think about going back to work and the long month of January ahead,” said Maria Hourican, Chief Executive of Holiday World’s parent company Business Exhibitions Ltd (BizEx).

“If ever there was a time when we need a little ‘pick me up’, it’s January – and there’s no better way to refresh and recharge those batteries than by booking a holiday and giving yourself something exciting to look forward in 2026. 

“With this in mind, we invite everyone to say goodbye to those post-Christmas doldrums and, instead, say hello to a world of travel inspiration at the Holiday World Show Belfast in January,” she added.

More than 11,000 visitors are expected to visit the ICC at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast for the province’s biggest annual celebration of travel and tourism, which will showcase a huge choice of holiday options at home and abroad from over 50 exhibitors – including international tourist boards, destinations, airlines, cruise & ferry companies, hotels and B&Bs, visitor attractions and travel agencies.

Holidaymakers can hop ‘on board’ one of the industry’s biggest growth areas with a visit to a dedicated cruise showcase hosted by NI cruise specialist Oasis Travel, while the show will also include its first ever USA Pavilion, hosted by leading local tour operator Travel Solutions, which will feature a range of star-spangled holidays to some truly iconic destinations across America.

For the second year running, the event’s headline sponsor is Bookit by NI Travel News, an online membership-based travel hub created by travel publication Northern Ireland Travel News.

For a subscription fee of just £10 per year, Bookit by NI Travel News offers members a minimum of 10 weekly holiday deals – all hand-selected and supplied by local NI travel agents – as well as access to an array of exclusive discounts from partners including Belfast City Airport, Ground Espresso Bars, Cosmetic Dermatology, Titanic Distillers, City of Derry Airport and much more.

“We are thrilled to renew our headline sponsorship of Holiday World Show Belfast, which is the perfect event to kick off 2026 and plan your next escape,” said Jonathan Adair, Managing Director of Bookit by NI Travel News.

“We’ve had an amazing year since the last Holiday World show, during which we celebrated Bookit by NITN’s first birthday in May and launched our new dedicated members area, which gives subscribers access to a range of exclusive discounts with local businesses and airports… all for just 84p per month!

“At last January’s event, we were delighted to welcome lots of new members to Bookit by NITN – now we can’t wait to do the same and grow the brand every year,” he added.

Another highlight of the weekend will be the Trade and Media Morning in partnership, for the first time, with Belfast International Airport (BIA) – which will open the show from 10am to 12.30pm on Friday January 9. This industry-only morning, which takes place before the doors open to the public, offers insights and networking opportunities for travel professional and media representatives.

 

BIA’s Communications & Corporate Affairs Director Deborah Harris said: “Belfast International Airport is excited to become a partner, for the first time, of Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NITN. Holiday World really is an institution here and a wonderful showcase of how easy it is to explore the world from Northern Ireland – connecting travellers directly with trusted tour operators, agents, and destinations – and creating a buzz of excitement and optimism for the year ahead.

 

“We are delighted to be the Official Partner of the show’s Trade and Media Morning, two areas of industry that are very important to us, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in January,” she said.

 

Stena Line Schools Competition

 

Children have the opportunity to use their Christmas colouring pencils and crayons to win one of two return family ferry crossings with Stena Line, on any of the company’s routes between Ireland and Great Britain, through a colouring competition for 4- to 6-year-olds and a drawing competition for 7- to 12-year-olds. 

 

What’s more, any children who bring their competition entry with them to submit in person at Holiday World Show Belfast will receiveFREE FAMILY ADMISSION to the show for two adults and two children.

 

Entry forms are available to download before the event from https://www.holidayworldshowni.com/stena-line-school-competition.

 

Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News will open its doors to the public from 12.30pm to 5pm on Friday January 9, and from 10am until 5pm on Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11. Tickets cost £5 for adults; £4 for Senior Citizens and £3 for Students. A special family ticket gives admission for two adults and up to four children for just £10 and a 2-for-1 ticket deal is available online at https://holidayworld.registrationdesk.ie/2-for-1-voucher-belfast/ .

 

The Trade and Media morning in partnership with Belfast International Airport will take place on the Friday morning from 10am to 12.30pm, with all travel trade and media invited to register at https://holidayworld.registrationdesk.ie/belfast/.

 

For more information and all the latest event updates, visit https://holidayworldshowni.com/