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If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when a travel brand truly “arrives” in a market, Brendan Vacations has just provided a masterclass. With more than half a century of crafting Celtic journeys that leave even seasoned travellers misty-eyed, the company has now marched confidently into the Australian and New Zealand market, and they’re not coming empty-handed. Instead, they’ve brought what every advisor secretly hopes for: a coveted FAM trip that borders on the legendary.

To celebrate its AUNZ debut, Brendan Vacations has launched a Sell & Win incentive offering six lucky advisors a place on a seven-day Ireland FAM in October 2026. Yes, that Ireland, the one with windswept cliffs, impossibly green hills, pubs that wear their history on their beams, and storytelling traditions strong enough to make your heart thump.

And these agents won’t merely be ticking boxes on a whirlwind itinerary. The jewel in the crown? A stay at the stately five-star Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s most celebrated heritage properties. If Brendan Vacations intends to impress the AUNZ trade, they’ve made their point with the subtlety of a tin whistle at dawn.

The Rules of the Game

The entry mechanics are refreshingly simple, as all good incentives should be.

To secure a chance at one of the six golden tickets, travel advisors must lodge a new 2026 Brendan Vacations booking by Saturday, 28 February 2026. Only trips with a minimum AU$5,000 / NZ$5,000 land-only value qualify, ensuring that the incentive rewards genuine engagement rather than enthusiastic toe-dipping.

The six advisors with the highest sales during the promotional period will earn a seat on the Ireland FAM. Given the company’s long Celtic pedigree, spots are likely to be hotly contested.

Industry Warmth Meets Celtic Charm

The AUNZ trade has wasted no time offering its welcome, and the praise has landed thick and fast.

David Fordyce, Chief Operating Officer at House of Travel (NZ), spoke with the enthusiasm of someone who has witnessed the brand’s craftsmanship firsthand.

“Having met with several of the Brendan Vacations team earlier in the year and experiencing an itinerary they shaped in Scotland, I’m really excited about Adventure World bringing the product to the Australasian market,” Fordyce said. “With so much Celtic heritage among Kiwis and Aussies, we see many customers looking for immersive itineraries in Ireland and Scotland, and we know Brendan Vacations will ensure they will have an exceptional experience on what is often a trip of a lifetime.”

It isn’t easy to understate just how strongly AUNZ consumers gravitate toward the Celtic story from ancestral exploration to the irresistible pull of rolling landscapes, folklore, and castle-to-castle journeys. Brendan Vacations has arrived at precisely the right moment.

Danielle Galloway, Global Managing Director Luxury & Independent at Flight Centre Travel Group, echoed that sentiment with equal measure and unmistakable authority.

“We’re thrilled that Brendan Vacations is partnering with Adventure World to enter the Australian market. Having recently experienced Brendan’s Edinburgh tour firsthand, I saw how their expert guides transform sightseeing into genuine cultural immersion, while their selection of distinctive properties elevates the entire journey. This is exactly the kind of quality product our advisors need on their luxury shelves to deliver to clients guided travel that has depth, authenticity, and that critical local perspective that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one.”

If endorsements were airline awards, this would be a Platinum tier announcement.

Training: Because Even Experts Need a Refresher

To ensure advisors can sell these Celtic experiences with confidence and perhaps with a hint of that Irish charm, Brendan Vacations is hosting a dedicated training webinar for the AUNZ trade.

Elsa McLean, Head of Sales for Adventure World, described the webinar as a pivotal launchpad.

“This launch is a huge moment for us, and this dedicated webinar is an essential step for equipping the trade to sell these incredible Celtic journeys. This training, combined with our launch sale and this advisor incentive, creates a very exciting time to partner with Brendan Vacations.”

In other words, advisors who skip the webinar will be about as prepared as a tourist turning up to Dublin in July without a rain jacket.

Webinar Details

Advisors are further encouraged to join the new Brendan Vacations Industry Facebook Group, ensuring they receive updates as quickly as the Irish weather changes:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2229500517564195

Where to Book

Brendan Vacations’ 2026 small group itineraries and wider travel styles are now open for booking at:
👉 brendanvacations.com

Reservations:

  • AU: 1300 394 716

  • NZ: 0800 539 811

Terms Worth Noting

This FAM prize includes six solo-occupancy places for October 2026. As is standard, flights, spending money, some meals, insurance, personal items, taxes (including FBT), and other ancillary costs are not covered.

Entrants must be:

  • Full-time Australia or New Zealand travel consultants

  • Aged 18+

  • Members of the Brendan Vacations Trade Facebook Group throughout the entry and prize period

The prize is non-transferable and subject to Brendan Vacations’ full T&Cs.

If Brendan Vacations were looking for a dramatic entrance into AUNZ, they’ve succeeded. With a generous incentive, an enviable FAM itinerary, heavyweight industry backing, and a training program designed to give advisors every possible advantage, the company has firmly planted its Celtic flag in the region, promising many journeys to come.

Advisors, polish your sales pitch. Ireland awaits.

By Alison Jenkins – (c) 2025

Read Time: 6 minutes.

About the Writer
Alison Jenkins - Bio PicAlison Jenkins has spent much of her career at thirty thousand feet or at least close to it. Having worked in several sales roles with several airlines, she built a reputation for knowing her clients and flight schedules. Quick with a smile and sharper still with a deal, she became one of those rare people who could charm passengers and partners without losing her professional edge.
Trade shows and FAMILS were all part of the territory, and Alison became a regular on the circuit, with suitcases, smiles, and a notepad never far from reach. Somewhere between airport lounges and hotel lobbies, she discovered she loved telling the stories behind the journeys. Her post-FAMILS reports, meant for internal newsletters, began to take on a life of their own, lively, observant, and unmistakably hers.
That’s when Alison realised she wasn’t just selling travel, she was meant to write about it.

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