A group of top French journalists, writing for four different print and online publications, has been exploring Donegal and the north-western region of the Wild Atlantic Way as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
The journalists, whose publications have a combined circulation of more than 3.3 million readers, were here to explore and write about what Donegal has to offer French holidaymakers.
The group was flown into Donegal Airport, recently voted the world's second most scenic airport landing, by the private jet booking service PrivateFly. Their itinerary included visits to Glenveagh National Park and Castle, Fanad Head Lighthouse, the Slieve League Cliffs and Kinnegar Brewery in Rathmullan. They also foraged for seaweed on Glen Bay Beach.
Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Southern Europe, said, “Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group of influential journalists to visit Donegal – helping us to spread the good news about this part of Ireland to prospective French visitors. Publicity is an important element of our overall promotional programme, helping to raise awareness through the media in France of the many things to see and do on a holiday around the island of Ireland. I am confident that their visit will result in lots of positive publicity for Donegal in a range of online and print publications.”
France is one of the top four markets for tourism to Ireland and there has been very good growth in French visitor numbers again this year with the most recent CSO figures for December 2016 – February 2017 showing growth of +5.3%, which is an extra 4,600 French visitors compared with the same three-month period last year. Tourism Ireland is undertaking an extensive programme of promotions to keep the momentum going and to build upon that growth.
