Teaming up with IrelandHotels.com for the instore promotion, the Gala Getaways giveaway will see each Gala shopper who spends over €10 in participating stores entered into a draw instore to win a €250 ‘Go Anywhere’ gift card to put towards a staycation at one of the hundreds of Irish hotels and guesthouses partnered with IrelandHotels.com. A winner will be picked from every participating Gala store.

Speaking about the Gala Getaways promotion, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond said: “The Gala Getaways promotion is back for another year following a great reaction from Gala customers last Summer. Awarding €40,000 worth of ‘Go Anywhere’ gift cards gives our winning shoppers a chance to book a well-earned getaway at some of Ireland’s top hotels and guest houses.

“With a chance to win in every participating store, this is our way of thanking loyal Gala customers for their continued support and Gala retailers across the country look forward to giving their valued customers a chance to win.”

The Gala Getaways promotion with IrelandHotels.com aims to encourage the lucky winners to enjoy and explore new parts of Ireland while supporting local tourism and hospitality.

Denyse Campbell, President of the Irish Hotels Federation, added: “Building on the success of last year’s Gala Getaways giveaway, we are thrilled to team up with Gala Retail once again. The ‘Go Anywhere’ gift card prizes will give winners the chance to book into one of the hundreds of fantastic hotels and guesthouses that work with IrelandHotels.com and experience new parts of Ireland this Summer.”

“With so many properties to choose from and the wealth of attractions, activities and incredible hospitality experiences to enjoy, Gala Retail is giving more people the opportunity to support Irish and staycation this Summer.”

The Gala Getaways promotion will run in participating Gala Retail stores from 27^th June until 31^st July. Further information about the promotion can be found on the Gala Retail social media accounts and at www.gala.ie/competitions.

Caption: CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond is joined by radio and TV personality, Lucy Kennedy and President of the Irish Hotels Federation, Denyse Campbell for the launch at the Dylan Hotel, Dublin.

The post Gala Retail’s €40,000 staycation gift cards giveaway live in stores now appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The Great Bewley’s Staycation highlights the benefits of holidaying at home this year and showcases some of Ireland’s most picturesque and unique destinations. To celebrate Bewley’s is offering a chance for one lucky winner to win an exclusive Bewley’s Barista training session at Bewley’s Grafton Street as well as the opportunity to take home the ultimate coffee machine, the Sage Barista Express and a year’s supply of Caldos coffee beans.

To enter, members of the public are invited to capture a picture of themselves having a Bewley’s coffee in their favourite Irish location, uploading the shot to their Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page and tagging @bewleysireland and using the hashtag #TheGreatBewleysStaycation. Whether it’s a coffee by the sea or from the comfort of their home.

Commenting on the new partnership, Jason Doyle, Managing Director of Bewley’s Ireland & UK said, “We are delighted to be going on tour this summer, we believe it is important we embrace our own surroundings and all they have to offer. We’re going to celebrate our favourite hidden gems this summer and soak in the beauty of the road less travelled with a Bewley’s tea or coffee in hand”.

The post Bewley’s hits the road for The Great Bewley’s Staycation appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

GALA RETAIL is offering €40,000 of staycation gift vouchers to lucky customers with its Gala Getaways promotion, which is live in stores now.

Gala has teamed up with IrelandHotels.com for the instore promotion, which invites Gala customers who spend over €10 in participating stores to enter a draw instore to win a €250 ‘Go Anywhere’ gift card to put towards a staycation at one of the hundreds of Irish hotels and guesthouses partnered with IrelandHotels.com. A winner will be picked from every participating Gala store.

Speaking about the Gala Getaways promotion, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond said:

“Everybody deserves a break after the events of the past 16 months and as the country begins to open up and hotel stays and hospitality return, we wanted to give Gala shoppers the chance to win a gift card to spend on a staycation and well-deserved getaway.

“The Gala Getaways promotion is about giving Gala Retailers the chance to reward their loyal customers for their support in recent times, awarding €40,000 of ‘Go Anywhere’ gift cards to Gala shoppers to spend on a staycation.

Explore Ireland

“It’s also about encouraging the public to go and explore Ireland on their next holiday, investing money back into the Irish economy and hospitality industry and supporting local businesses as the nation begins to emerge from the restrictions. Whether our winners are looking for a weekend break or a fun filled family adventure, there’s a wealth of accommodation options to choose from with the ‘Go Anywhere’ gift card prize.”

With travel restrictions still in place and uncertainty surrounding travel further afield, staycations look set to be the break of choice for the majority of the Irish public for the foreseeable.

‘Gala Getaways’

Kevin Mulvany, of IrelandHotels.com added: “We are thrilled to team up with Gala Retail for its ‘Gala Getaways’ promotion. With staycation holidays firmly on the agenda in the months ahead, these ‘Go Anywhere’ gift card prizes give people the chance to discover new locations across the country and while having a well-deserved break away at one of Ireland’s many great hotels and guesthouses – all while supporting local tourism.

“Ireland has so much to offer holiday-makers and, with this fantastic Getaway promotion, Gala Retail is giving more people the chance to explore what’s on their doorstep and rediscover the county’s hidden gems, traditional attractions and spectacular sights.”

The Gala Getaways promotion will run in participating Gala Retail stores until 1^st Aug 2021. Further information about the promotion can be found on the Gala Retail social media accounts and at www.gala.ie/competitions.

The post Gala Getaways are go! appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Kerry (39%) is Ireland’s preferred staycation destination, with Donegal (28%) and Cork (24%) following closely behind. Slieve League Cliffs (22%), Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve (19%) and Doon Fort (17%) are the most popular ‘secret holiday spots’ in Ireland.

Seeing friends and family (27%), getting a haircut (21%) and going to a restaurant (12%) are the public’s top priorities with the easing of restrictions.

Pubs and restaurants (54%), concerts and music festivals (31%) and attending the All-Ireland GAA Championship (23%) are the activities the public missed the most last summer.

A quarter (25%) say drinking an iced beverage is their favourite way to cool down – Circle K’s iced drink range now has a new name – K-Freeze, but the same great, refreshing taste, says the company.

With several COVID-19 restrictions lifting including inter-county travel, the public’s anticipation for the summer has risen. A new study by Circle K¹ reveals that 27% are more excited for this summer than any other in recent memory and 51% are planning to holiday in Ireland over the next few months.

K-Freeze

The survey was carried out to celebrate the reveal of Circle K’s new name for its Froster range, K-Freeze. Circle K’s K-Freeze range is now available in all stores nationwide, excluding Circle K Express. All that’s different about K-Freeze is the name and cups in-store, as the range consists of the same great tasting ice-cold drinks that the public know and love.

On a hot summer’s day, a quarter (25%) say drinking an iced beverage is their favourite way to cool down from the heat. For an icy-cold refreshment, Circle K’s K-Freeze range, which comes in flavours such as Coca-Cola, Fanta Blue Raspberry and Fanta Strawberry, is the perfect treat on any day.

Returning to Normality

After over a year of working from home for many in Ireland, a quarter (25%) don’t see themselves returning to their offices until September or October. Another 19% don’t see it happening until next year, and 14% don’t expect to ever return.

Staycation Nation

Many are planning to seize the opportunity to travel around Ireland this year with intercounty restrictions now eased. Over a quarter (29%) have a greater appreciation for the Emerald Isle since the Covid-19 pandemic began and just under half (45%) are taking a few weekend breaks to see more of it.

It appears that lots of people are replacing their lockdown blues with feelings of nostalgia, as fond memories of childhood holidays have been flooding the minds of those planning a getaway. The fondest childhood holiday memory for respondents is trips to the beach (42%), followed by weekend drives (12%) and day trips (11%).

Location, Location, Location

Ireland’s ‘Kingdom’ of Kerry was chosen by those polled as their preferred staycation destination. Almost 2 in 5 (39%) say they will take a trip to Ireland’s sunny southwest, with 28% preparing to go the opposite direction to Donegal and another 24% opting to journey down south to Cork.

For those looking to spend their downtime in a lesser known, ‘secret spot’, the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal (22%), Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve (19%) and another Donegal attraction, the Doon Fort (17%) were voted as the secret staycations spots holidaymakers want to visit most. With a presence in every community in Ireland, Circle K stores are the perfect pit stops for commuters looking to both refill with snacks, food or beverages and refuel their vehicle this summer.

Fresh name and new look 

Joanne D’Arcy, Director of Market Development at Circle K Ireland said: “It’s great to see that so many people are planning to staycation this summer, with some exciting trips and destinations on the cards. We’re looking forward to welcoming holidaymakers to our network of stores across Ireland and encourage them to pick up a refreshing K-Freeze at one of our stores on their travels.

Myself and my colleagues are excited to reveal a brand new, exciting look and name for the summer months with K-Freeze. Even with a fresh name and look, it’s the same great, refreshing product and delicious flavours that the Irish public have come to love.”

Circle K’s K-Freeze range is available in all Circle K sites nationwide, excluding Circle K Express. For more information on K-Freeze, visit circlek.ie.

¹According to research conducted of 1,000 Irish adults by iReach Insights on behalf of Circle K, April 2021

The post Sun, Sea and Staycations! Circle K study shows Irish people have a greater appreciation for the Emerald Isle since pandemic began appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.