Tag: #travel

Two-thirds of consumers in Ireland spent abroad this summer

Revolut, the European-licensed bank with more than 45 million customers worldwide and over 2.8 million in Ireland, has analysed which travel destinations have proven most popular this summer among its customers in Ireland — with their overseas spending trends assessed as part of a detailed analysis of the period 1st May – 31st July.

The data has revealed that (in order) Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy were Irish holidaymakers’ most popular holidays this summer — with the United States also among Revolut customers’ most sought-after destinations as per their overseas spending habits. Notably, more than half a million Revolut customers also spent money in the UK this summer.

Revolut customers’ preferred destination within mainland Europe was Spain (over 300,000 holidaymakers). This was followed by Portugal (more than 100,000 jetsetters) and just short of that, France. Elsewhere, over 85,000 Irish tourists spent money in Italy and close to 65,000 ventured to the United States.

Approximately two-thirds of Revolut’s 2.8 million customers in Ireland spent money abroad this summer — while the global financial app also recently identified a move toward the return of staycations among its Irish customers, resulting in a record July of domestic consumer spending.

Close to 1.5 million Revolut customers from across the world visited Ireland this summer too, with those from the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Romania, Italy, and France accounting for over 80% of those visiting the Emerald Isle.

Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB – Ireland Branch, said: “Our customers in Ireland depend on Revolut for the best foreign exchange rates, and we know that those extra savings on every transaction can amount to a more enjoyable holiday. We’re continuing to bring customers new products and perks to make the experience of going away more seamless and stress-free. For instance, customers can now opt-in to earn RevPoints on their everyday spending, which can then be exchanged for airline miles via two popular loyalty programmes.”

European-licensed bank Revolut was recently recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’, while the company ranked 9th as part of the Ireland RepTrak® 2024 study earlier this year.

For more information, visit: www.revolut.ie

Revolut Report: Stats indicate a return to Irish staycations this summer

Revolut, the European-licensed bank with more than 45 million customers worldwide, and over 2.8 million in Ireland, has crunched the numbers on Irish consumer spending over the last month, with the app’s own data revealing that a return in the popularity of staycations led to a record month of Revolut spending in Ireland this July. 

Revolut’s consumer spending analysis tracked more than 58.5 million card payments over the course of the month, indicating several real-world spending trends by the country’s Revolut customers. The amount Revolut users are spending with the bank each month continues to rise, up nearly 5% (MoM increase) in July, with staycations a key driver in the broader uplift.

With a scorching heat wave across much of mainland Europe in July, a rising number of Revolut’s customers in Ireland chose to stay put for their summer break rather than go abroad. 

In terms of accommodation, spending on hotels and resorts in Ireland has risen by 15% compared to last summer (YoY increase), while Revolut customers are spending more than 38% more (YoY increase) on health and beauty spas compared to this time last year too. For those looking for a slightly more outdoorsy or cost-effective alternative, the amount spent on camping sites and caravan parks has seen a more than 14% jump in July 2024 versus July 2023 (YoY increase). 

When making their way around Ireland, Revolut has seen customers increase their spending at service stations, nearly 19% more this July than last (YoY increase), and on EV (electric vehicle) charging, which has risen considerably by over 46% since last summer (YoY increase). Staycations have also driven a surge in toll charges, with customers spending over 33% more to get to their destination faster than in July 2023, highlighting an uplift in domestic tourism. 

At their journey’s end, Ireland’s staycationers are spending more in local bars, cafes, and restaurants, up close to 5% (YoY increase), with other leisure activities such as tourist attractions and museums rising by nearly 18% (YoY increase) and boat rentals by over 25% (YoY increase). 

Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB – Ireland Branch, said: “Once a trusted travel card, this record month of spending clearly indicates our evolution into many customers’ preferred bank and why we’re a mainstay for the people of Ireland. Revolut’s ecosystem of financial products is the answer for people whether at home or overseas, and helps them make the most out of their money. It’s so great to see our customers choosing to spend on their staycation with us, while others are doing the same as they jet off abroad too.” 

European-licensed bank Revolut was recently recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’, while the company ranked 9th as part of the Ireland RepTrak® 2024 study earlier this year. 

For more information, visit: www.revolut.com/en-IE 

Tech Review – Hyper 100W HyperJuice USB-C GaN Travel Charger

The Hyper 100W HyperJuice USB-C GaN Travel Charger is a must have for those on the move and not only that even at home it will do just the same.

Build quality out of the box looks solid and it is a solid device in hand with a speaker, tv box shape to it and look well with a white gloss finish, there is several adaptors inside the package so for those who travel you are pretty much covered wherever you go which is excellent and it will all fit into a tech or travel bag easily.

There is 4 ports up front to pick from you do not need to use them all however today people have more than one device and can use them all for and that is a certainty for me be it at home or on the go, this can be also transformed into a desktop charger too.

You can charge laptops too which is good and any USB/USB-C compatible device and of course decent cables, people are under the illusion all cables are the same when they are not but now with USB-C more mainstream things are getting better here but beware of cheap ones on sale.

The top two ports offer 100w charge the third one 27w and lastly the USB A port gives max 18w and has smart distribution technology inside to even out the output.

Interchangeable travel adapters for over 150 countries (US, EU, UK and ANZ) are included, eliminating the need to carry additional converters. Our adapters securely lock into place, providing a more secure solution than adapters that slide over the US plugs.

Having tested this with many devices and many the latest devices to the market and some older ones this had no issue with giving me power on all four ports and none cutting out as often is the case with some chargers offering similar ports, it did not get hot either which is notable.

Overall this is an ideal piece of kit to have at your disposal and for those going on trips or holidays the great thing is less plugs which are annoying and everyone thee days has spare cables at home and of course easy to find no matter where you go, just avoid cheap brands and cheap cables..

 

 

Key Features and Benefits:

  • Commercial-Grade Design operates 22% cooler than leading charger brand* ensuring optimal charging throughout the entire cycle

  • 3rd party safety testing and industry-leading, global certifications

  • Compact fast charging with GaN technology

  • Charges up to 4 devices simultaneously, including pro laptops, phones, and tablets

  • Intelligent charging with up to PD 3.0, PPS, QC 3.0, and QC 2.0 protocols

  • Smart Power Distribution Technology

  • GaN technology boosts efficiency up to 95%, reducing electricity waste

  • Travel-ready with included global adapters: US, EU, UK, and ANZ

  • Easily transforms into a desktop charging solution with the included C8 adapter (C7 cable sold separately)

  • Ensures maximum charging compatibility for 1,000+ devices worldwide

HyperJuice® GaN Travel Charger Product Specifications

HyperJuice® 70W USB-C GaN Travel Charger with 3 Ports

HyperJuice® 100W USB-C GaN Travel Charger with 4 Ports

Available from Targus.com – £59.99

Available from Targus.com – €69.99

Available from Targus.com – £89.99

Available from Targus.com – €99.99

Specifications:

USB Type C Port 1: 70W Max

USB Type C Port 2: 70W Max

USB Type A Port 1: 18W Max

US, EU, UK, ANZ, and C8 Adapters

Available in Black and White

Specifications:

USB Type C Port 1: 100W Max

USB Type C Port 2: 100W Max

USB Type C Port 3: 27W Max

USB Type A Port 1: 18W Max

US, EU, UK, ANZ, and C8 Adapters

Available in Black and White

 

Need a new Targus laptop bag

Video Review

National Express West Midlands Renews & Expands Partnership with CitySwift to Optimise Performance using AI

CitySwift, leader in performance optimisation for the public transport sector across the globe, has today announced the continuation of its partnership with National Express West Midlands (NXWM). The three year extension comes following impressive year-on-year results, including improved bus punctuality and efficiencies.

Since September 2023 NXWM’s use of CitySwift’s advanced AI and data technology has led to a reduction of more than 20% in late running, customer wait times have been reduced, and passengers per journey have increased. This follows strong results from previous years and consequently NXWM is now rolling out CitySwift’s platform across its entire fleet of over 1,400 buses.

As a leader in the largest UK urban bus market outside of London, NXWM provides on average 210 million bus passenger journeys per year across the West Midlands and has worked collaboratively with CitySwift to develop best-in-class transport solutions that analyse passenger and service data, drive optimum performance, and delivers a much more efficient use of resources.

Speaking on today’s announcement, Alan Farrelly, CCO and Co-founder of CitySwift said “National Express West Midlands has been core to CitySwift’s product development since 2019, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership for a further three years. This next phase will enable National Express West Midlands to further strengthen their commitment to enhancing the public transport network and improving the passenger experience through our technology.”

The latest innovative CitySwift solution is Spotlight, a globally leading intelligent recommendation engine for bus network enhancements that is integral to building smart cities and regions of the future.

NXWM is the first UK transport operator to adopt Spotlight, with the West Midlands being the first region in the world to benefit, resulting in faster, more customer-centric choices that balance resources, passengers, cities, and operators.

Ed Rickard, Network Director at National Express, commented: “Our collaboration with CitySwift to deliver Spotlight for the benefit of bus users across the West Midlands, and in major cities across the UK, is a groundbreaking achievement for the National Express West Midlands and CitySwift teams.

We are delighted to continue working in partnership with CitySwift over the coming years and proudly leading the charge in the UK when it comes to the use of AI-powered data and insights that are key to an efficient, cost-effective delivery of bus service performance for customers across our network.”

Designed for schedulers; Spotlight improves scheduler decision-making by providing AI-powered insights into performance and resource considerations such as timeliness, cost, and vehicle numbers. It scans the entire network, delivering service optimisation options, and efficiency improvements.

Andy Foster, Director of Bus Planning at National Express, added: “We are excited to be extending CitySwift’s AI performance optimisation capabilities across our bus network in the West Midlands. Traffic conditions on our region’s roads have worsened and can negatively impact the reliability of our services.

However, using CitySwift’s AI analytics and optimisation tools our skilled schedulers and network planners have been able to respond effectively, maximising our productivity and efficiency while also reducing late running for customers that rely on our bus services.”

Founded in 2016 by Brian O’Rourke and Alan Farrelly, CitySwift’s performance optimisation platform gives operators and transport authorities insights, recommendations, and predictions, supporting them in the delivery of efficient, reliable and in-demand services.

CitySwift empowers public transport operators and authorities to achieve unparalleled efficiency by leveraging advanced analytics, simulations, and optimisations. With its easy-to-use industry-leading technology, CitySwift envisions a future where public transport is the travel mode of choice for all people.

Powered by AI data processing, CitySwift optimises over 1 billion passenger journeys annually, working with public sector transport authorities and private bus operators to break down the barriers to accessing and interpreting transport data, replacing manual analysis with reliable, actionable insights. This solution enhances efficiency, benefiting drivers, passengers, partners, and cities, whilst remaining human-centric throughout.

The renewed partnership with NXWM closely follows other developments for the Irish company, having opened its first UK office earlier this year in London and announcing additional partnerships with Transport North East, Transdev Blazefield, and trentbarton. Since its inception, CitySwift has grown to have a presence across the UK, US and its home territory of Ireland, covering transport networks in all major UK cities. Additionally, in February of this year CitySwift announced the close of its latest funding round of €7 million led by Gresham House Venture, as the company continues to scale for growth globally.

AirHelp unveils new benefits in latest update to AirHelp+ memberships

AirHelp, the leading travel tech company supporting passengers with flight disruptions, today announces it has upgraded its popular AirHelp+ (AirHelp Plus) subscription, which now offers two-tiered memberships: Smart and Pro.

AirHelp+ benefits

Where eligible, AirHelp+ Smart and Pro members receive compensation for flight disruptions, luggage claims, and expense claims, without AirHelp charging a fee, ensuring passengers get all the money they are entitled to from the airline. AirHelp+ members will be entitled to 100% of the compensation up to 600 EUR and can receive up to 6,000 EUR for extra costs incurred, as well as up to 1,400 EUR for luggage issues.

All members will have priority around-the-clock assistance through AirHelp’s customer support, and receive enhanced travel communications through flight notifications. AirHelp+ members can also access exclusive deals from AirHelp partners, such as discounts on eSIMs and car rentals, and transfer support.

AirHelp AirPayout insurance gives passengers 100 EUR if they have faced delays of more than three hours, their flight is diverted, or if they face a cancellation less than 28 days before departure. The money will be paid into the registered bank account within hours after provided details and is provided on top of any eligible airline compensation. Members can also benefit from AirLuggage protection/insurance, which pays passengers an additional 100 EUR for lost or delayed luggage, on top of any airline compensation. If passengers experience a cancellation or delay of more than one hour, they can enjoy lounge access* away from crowds for comfort.

Hassle-free compensation

AirHelp has helped 2.3 million passengers claim compensation to date and its network of specialised lawyers is the biggest of any travel tech company globally. Tomasz Pawliszyn, CEO at AirHelp, comments: “We strive to bring passengers the smoothest travel experience possible through providing valuable and relevant benefits to support them when flights are disrupted. With one in four flights delayed, passengers risk losing time and money through disruptions and should be best prepared for when travels do not go according to plan.

“The AirHelp+ memberships have been developed based on an increased focus on the passenger experience, with 6.5 million passengers choosing AirHelp+ protection already. Compensation is no longer enough to make up for lost time and money, and the stress of disruptions. We want to ensure passengers can have the best experience possible – from the moment they arrive at the airport to when they return home after their trip. The new AirHelp+ memberships provide all passengers with the protection, comfort, and assistance they need while ensuring they get the compensation they are owed – without the hassle and management fees.”

Find out more about the AirHelp Plus memberships here.

PACE, Fexco’s carbon emissions calculator, expands services to Airport and Corporate Travel Sectors

PACE, Fexco’s sustainability data and analytics product suite, today launched PACE Data Services. This new product suite provides insights for the airport and corporate travel sectors to measure, manage and mitigate their emissions.

Built on PACE’s data platform, a global benchmark for the aviation industry, the service aligns with carbon reduction regulations by using live flight tracking data to monitor over 99% of commercial flights and analyse over 370,000 routes. PACE’s suite of data and analytics is already relied upon by most of the aviation finance sector and the largest financial institutions in the world, like JP Morgan and SMBC.

PACE Data Services will provide airports with a cohesive and precise view of their flight-related emissions. This data will be critical to enabling airports to better manage and mitigate their emissions. In fact, Heathrow’s most recent sustainability report for 2023 stated that 99% of its emissions came from Scope 3 emission reduction targets[1].

In the corporate travel sector, PACE’s data will enable more informed decision-making when it comes to both booking travel and providing more accurate reporting of corporate travel emissions. Recent research from Deloitte shows one in three companies is seeking guidance from travel management companies to reduce their carbon footprint.

In one use case alone, which would have a significant impact on decision-making for corporate travel management, PACE data reveals considerable variations in CO2 emissions per occupied seat—up to 50%—on the same popular transatlantic route across different aircraft. These differences are primarily due to factors such as aircraft seat configuration and aircraft type.

This new offering from PACE enables both these sectors to comply with evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These regulations require the provision of accurate, independently verified, and robust reports on their plans and progress in reducing emissions.

Since its launch in 2022, PACE has become the only Irish company to meet stringent independent aviation measurement standards, including the recent Pegasus Guidelines

“This new service builds on PACE’s rapid growth, driven by demand to address carbon emissions across the aviation value chain,” said Cathal Foley, CEO of PACE. “This will enable airports and corporate travellers to better understand how we fly better while continuing to support ambitious growth strategies. PACE’s vision is to be the global leader in the spaces we operate and deploy our data to enable meaningful change.”

“We are an island and so the aviation sector is a vital part of Ireland’s economy, both as a contributor and an enabler of economic growth. But aviation, like all sectors, will have to transition to a new low-carbon future. It is very exciting to see an Irish company positioned to help transform this sector by utilising its exceptional data and analytics to inform better conversations across the aviation value chain. Measurement is critical to understanding the real impact of carbon reduction measures and claims,” said Minister Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport. “Ireland has globally acknowledged aviation expertise, and it is fitting that a successful Irish multinational like Fexco is leading the way in meaningfully enabling the sector to make better decisions on its journey to net zero emissions.”

To find out more, visit the PACE website.

Revolut Report: April showers see travel consumer spending rise

Revolut, the global financial app with more than 40 million customers worldwide, and over 2.7 million in Ireland, has crunched the numbers on Irish consumer spending over the last month, revealing that a showery April has given Revolut customers in Ireland itchy feet — with spending on travel up nearly 10% YoY versus April 2023.

With figures adjusted for user growth, Revolut’s consumer spending analysis tracked more than 50 million card payments in April, indicating real-world spending trends by Ireland’s Revolut account holders, who spent more than €1.1 billion across a very damp month of April.

Money spent on airlines rose again by close to 4% (MoM increase) as the wet weather saw holidaymakers continue to plan overseas trips — up nearly 25% on April 2023 (YoY increase). People are spending more at the airport this year than last, rising a notable 12% (YoY increase).

Travel agencies were the beneficiaries with a small rise in spending versus the previous month (1.58% MoM increase), up 24% on a more fair weathered April 2023 (YoY increase). Similarly, spend on timeshares shot up by over 16.28% (MoM increase) as Revolut customers in Ireland looked to get away — a steady near 4.5% rise on last April (YoY increase).

Cruises also proved a popular escape, with over 15% more spent on voyages than in March (MoM increase), and more than 23% when compared with April 2023 (YoY increase). Not all were deterred by the wet weather though, with a considerable 34.5% rise in trailer park and campsite spending compared with March (MoM increase) and April 2024 (22% YoY increase).

Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB – Ireland Branch, said: “Our continued push into the travel sector has helped make spending on holidays, short breaks, and last-minute getaways even easier for our customers in Ireland. One-click checkout with Aer Lingus, the introduction of eSIMs to avoid overseas roaming charges, and our super competitive foreign exchange rates have meant more people are trusting Revolut on their trips away. Revolut is Ireland’s preferred way to manage money on a daily basis and these strong spending figures highlight how more customers are using us as their primary bank account.”

Revolut was recently recognised by financial comparison site Bonkers.ie as ‘Ireland’s Best Consumer Business’ and ‘provider of the Best Current Account’.

For more information, visit: www.revolut.com/en-IE

Tech Review – QDOS PowerCube 45W Trio

The QDOS PowerCube 45W Trio is a versatile and efficient charging solution for various devices, including smartphones and laptops. The product is manufactured by QDOS, a UK-based company that has been designing premium tech accessories since 2006. QDOS is committed to sustainability and uses state-of-the-art machinery to reduce water and energy consumption, increase the use of recycled raw materials, and reduce its carbon footprint.

The PowerCube Trio 45W comes with a 45W (EU) PowerCube dual-port USB-C power adapter, a USB-C to MFI lightning cable, and a USB-C to USB-C cable. The PowerCube Trio 45W is optimised for Apple devices and can charge an iPhone three times faster than any other power adapter, allowing two devices to charge simultaneously. The power adapter can charge at 45W when charging one device with one port and can charge two devices simultaneously at 20W and 25W high-speed charges. The adapter is equipped with Programmable Power Supply (PPS) technology, which tailors the most efficient charge to the connected device, and GaN technology, which improves energy efficiency, heat dissipation, and compact housing.

45W (EU) PowerCube (Dual Port USB-C power adapter)

  • Charge at 45W when charging 1 device with 1 port
  • Charge 2 devices simultaneously at 20W and 25W high speed charge
  • Charge your iPhone and iPad simultaneously, in one location
  • Programmable Power Supply (PPS) – Tailors the most efficient charge to the connected device
  • GaN technology – Improved energy efficiency, heat dissipation & compact housing
  • Optimised for Apple devices

The USB-C to MFI lightning and USB-C to USB-C cables are 1.2m in length and support Power Delivery (PD), enabling high-speed charging with a maximum of 60W. The cables are reinforced, reducing breakage and prolonging cable life, and are MFI-certified. The PowerCube Trio 45W is compatible with Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Google, and other USB-C or Lightning-enabled devices.

The charger comes with cables for both Android and iPhone, ensuring users are up and running without the need for additional cables. However, the product only comes with a one-year warranty, which is a disappointment for a company that claims sustainability is a priority. The product is optimised for devices up to 45W, including MacBooks, laptops, iPads, iPhones, and smartphones. However, it may also work for USB-C laptops that require a power lower than 45W. It is essential to check the manufacturer’s charger requirements before using it as a backup charger for a laptop.

In conclusion, the QDOS PowerCube 45W Trio is a reliable and versatile charging solution for various devices. Its Programmable Power Supply (PPS) provides optimum charge to connected devices, and GaN technology improves energy efficiency, heat dissipation, and compact housing. The MFI-certified ( made for iPhone )  cables are reinforced and of superior quality, and the product is compatible with all USB-C or Lightning-enabled devices. (Branded as QDOS inspiring confidence in the cables) Although the one-year warranty is a disappointment, the product’s quality and flexibility make it an ideal multipurpose charger for users who need a reliable and efficient charging solution.

BUY

Video Review

 

 

Prepping for European spring /summer travel? QDOS has you covered

If you’re travelling to Europe this summer, QDOS has you covered for all your power charging needs.

Whether you’re traveling alone, in a couple or with the kids, don’t waste precious packing space with multiple chargers that you could end up leaving or losing!

And if you’re doing a bit of work while you’re there, QDOS have got the perfect power combo.

PowerSnap with Stand

Price £39.99

Available: QDOS website

  • Compact, MagSafe compatible wireless charger with a convenient viewing stand.
  • Effortlessly charge devices safely and securely with perfect magnetic alignment, for fast wireless charging up to 15W.
  • Flick up the viewing stand function and enjoy the viewing angle for watching movies, FaceTiming friends or streaming videos.
  • Complete with an integrated 1m USB-C cable.

EU PowerCube 45W Trio

Price £69.99

Available: QDOS website

 

  • The ultimate Apple charging bundle with EU plug
  • Charge your iPhone x3 faster than any other power adaptor
  • Charge at 45W when using just 1 port or charge 2 devices simultaneously, with 1 port offering 20W and the other port offering 25W, for a higher speed charge.
  • Using Programmable Power Supply (PPS), providing the most optimum charge to connected devices, whilst GaN Technology improves energy efficiency, heat dissipation & provides compact housing.
  • The MFI Lightning to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables are high quality, reinforced cables and both 1.2m in length. Compatible with all USB-C or Lightning enabled devices.

 PowerLink Combi 8-in-1 USB-C hub

Price £59.99

Available: QDOS website

  • Connect your tech life in one place with this slim, easily transportable Powerlink Combi; charge, sync and display effortlessly with this elegant 8-in-1 multi-port USB-C hub.
  • Portable and lightweight, it charges at Max 100W with Power Delivery USB-C and sync at 10Gbps.
  •  Display in 4k with HDMI and connect your audio devices with the classic Audio Jack.
  • Transfer data with SD and Micro SD.
  • See our review HERE