Fáilte Ireland hosted a workshop at the Glasson Hotel & Golf Club of Co. Westmeath on Tuesday June 11 to allow Irish tourism businesses to meet with tour operators as part of a targeted 2020 global sales drive for Irish tourism businesses against the backdrop of Brexit.
At the event, nearly 60 Irish tourism businesses were given the opportunity to pitch directly to up to 20 UK-based tour operators that sell holidays to Britain and Ireland to a host of international markets, including China, India, Japan, Australia and the US.
Over 360 direct one-to-one meetings were set up at the workshop, which was hosted by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
Assisting "Ongoing Growth In Irish Tourism"
Speaking at the event, Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said, "Contacts and contracts [made and signed at the event] will assist ongoing growth in Irish tourism in 2020. The tour operators have the capacity to deliver significant amounts of visitors to Ireland throughout the year as Ireland continues to have a very strong appeal as a destination as we face the continuing and escalating challenges of Brexit.
"Last year was a record year for Irish tourism, with 9.6 million overseas tourists visiting our shores. The industry now generates €7.8 billion in revenue, and supports 260,000 jobs. This growth is not accidental. Every year the industry must be at the forefront of the international market ready to sell Ireland as a destination and adapt to ever-changing markets and visitor preferences. This is even more important now as we face Brexit and the challenges it brings to the wider industry. This year's event will concentrate on winning business from other lucrative global markets, and I’m confident that over the coming days our overseas delegates will see first-hand what it is that sets Ireland apart as an outstanding visitor destination."
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
