Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, invited German travel professionals working for tour operator Service-Reisen Giessen to visit Ireland this week.
The aim of the visit was to educate and enthuse the travel professionals about some of the many to do and see in Ireland so that they are better equipped to sell the destination to their clients when they return home. Their itinerary included taking a trip to Kilkenny, where they visited the Medieval Mile Museum and the Smithwick’s Experience and were given bodhrán lesson in Kyteler’s Inn. They also visited the Powerscourt Estate, Glendalough, Blarney Castle, Killarney and Adare.
Germany is the third-largest market for tourism to Ireland, with the latest CSO figures indicating growth of around 20% in arrivals from Germany in 2018.
Aiming To Enthuse
Finola O’Mahony, Tourism Ireland’s head of Europe, commented, "Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite this group from Service-Reisen Giessen to visit Ireland. We believe it’s extremely important for travel professionals such as these to experience for themselves the high standard of our tourism experiences and the many things to see and do here. Our aim is to really enthuse them about the destination to ensure they are better equipped to advise their clients when planning and booking their holidays.
"2018 was the eighth consecutive year of growth for German visitor numbers to the island of Ireland, when we welcomed around 780,000 German visitors. Tourism Ireland will roll out an extensive and targeted programme of activity throughout 2019 to keep the momentum going and build on that growth."
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
