Two 'high-flying' couples from the US spent €200,000 on a two week holiday here and in the UK last year in a break that contributed to profits surging to €600,153 at luxury holiday firm, Adams & Butler.
In the past, the go-to travel firm for celebrities and the rich enjoying holidays here, Adams & Butler has curated holidays here for then newlyweds, Kim Kadarshian and Kanye West for their low key honeymoon here.
New accounts for the Dublin based firm show that the post tax profits of €600,153 for the 12 months to the end of October last was a 37% increase on the profits of €427,078 for the prior year.
On the €200,000 holiday for the two couples, founder and CEO of Adams & Butler, Siobhan Byrne stated that they stayed in the likes of The Merrion, Ashford Castle and Glenlo Abbey and also visited the Aran Islands and had some private musical and food tours.
Ms Byrne said that in the UK, "we arranged some private visits in London, and they experienced the Belmond le Manoir property in Oxfordshire and The Belmond Train in Scotland".
"We are also getting more and more requests for exclusive use properties, not only in Ireland but worldwide. Cruises are also becoming more and more popular. Over 90% of our clients request private tours and visits when they travel with us worldwide," Ms Byrne said.
On how business is progressing in 2024, Ms Byrne said: "Business is going well and a lot of people in the industry have recognised that the surge post Covid has now levelled off.
"There has been a trend for shorter lead in times with some people booking trips with only a few days’ notice. Within Ireland and the UK, our privileged access to private places and people allows us to attract a very prestigious clientele," she said.
"Our African side of the business is increasing enormously each year and we are confident that we are the number one African Specialist in Ireland," Ms Byrne said.
She said that the company moved office last year into a Dublin city centre location "and has taken on four additional new staff".
At the end of October last, accumulated profits at Adams & Butler totalled €1.179m. The company’s cash funds increased from €1.68m to €2.12m.
The profits in the prior year took account of other operating income of €308,417 that included a Fáilte Ireland grant of €152,574 and other grants. No grants were recorded last year.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
