Tour America, which was named the overall 2011 'Travel Agency of the Year at the ITAA Awards which were announced last night. Cork-based Shandon Travel won the award for most innovative agent, while Catriona Clarke was named young travel professional of the year.

Aer Lingus saw off rivals to win two airline awards in the short-haul and the medium-haul categories, while Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways was named the best long-haul operator.

Other awards went to Thomas Cook (best short-haul tour operator); Classic Resorts and Sunway (joint best long-haul tour operator); Travel Focus (best specialist tour operator) and Topflight (best ski tour operator).

Royal Caribbean was named best cruise company and Irish Ferries won the award for best ferry company, while Celebrity was selected as best luxury cruise company.

The Irish Travel Agents Association expressed confidence that 2012 would show an increase in the number of Irish people holidaying abroad as consumer confidence returned to the market.