Thousands expected as doors open for Holiday World Show
12th Jan 2026
THOUSANDS of holidaymakers from all over Northern Ireland will brave the cold weather this weekend in the hope of grabbing a holiday bargain at the 33rd annual Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News.
The province’s biggest annual celebration of travel and tourism opened its doors today at the ICC Belfast at The Waterfront Hall where it will run for three days from 10am to 5pm on Friday January 9 to Sunday January 11.
For more than three decades now, Holiday World Show Belfast been a ‘must visit’ event for people searching for the best holiday ideas, advice – and deals. Promising ‘a world of travel inspiration’, the timing couldn’t be better to transform January from one of the most depressing months of the year into a time of excitement and anticipation for NI holidaymakers.
“If ever there was a time when we need a little ‘pick me up’, it’s January – which is widely regarded as one of the most depressing months of the year,” said Maria Hourican, Chief Executive of Holiday World’s parent company Business Exhibitions Ltd (BizEx).
“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 seasonal slump we feel when the festive season comes to an end.
“So we would urge everyone to come along to this year’s show and recharge those batteries by booking a holiday and giving themselves something exciting to look forward in 2026,” she added.
More than 11,000 visitors are expected to visit Holiday World Show Belfast which will showcase a huge choice of holiday options at home and abroad from over 50 exhibitors – including international tourist boards, destinations, airlines, ferry companies, hotels and B&Bs, visitor attractions and travel agencies.
The show also includes a dedicated cruise showcase hosted by NI cruise specialist Oasis Travel, as well as its first ever USA Pavilion, hosted by leading local tour operator Travel Solutions, featuring 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 which, for a subscription fee of just £10 per year, offers members a minimum of 10 weekly holiday deals – all hand-selected and supplied by local NI travel agents – and access to exclusive discounts from a wide range of industry partners.
“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,” said Jonathan Adair, Managing Director of Bookit by NI Travel News.
“At NI Travel News, we’ve supported the annual Holiday World Show since it first came to Belfast 33 years ago, so we are thrilled to renew our headline sponsorship of this amazing event.”
The show kicked off at 10am on Friday with a Trade and Media Morning in partnership with Belfast International Airport (BIA). This industry-only session offered media and travel professionals an exclusive preview of the show and an opportunity to network before the doors were opened to the public at 12.30pm.
BIA’s Communications & Corporate Affairs Director Deborah Harris said: “Holiday World is an institution here and a wonderful showcase of how easy it is to explore the world from Northern Ireland – so Belfast International Airport is delighted to be the Official Partner of the show’s Trade and Media Morning, two areas of industry that are very important to us,” she said.
Stena Line Schools Competition
Over the weekend, children have the opportunity 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 receive FREE 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 is open from 10am to 5pm from Friday January 9 until 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/ .
For more information and all the latest event updates, visit https://holidayworldshowni.com/.
