Eight top-performing travel agents from China, India, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates visited the island of Ireland last week as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI.
Their visit was "the grand finale" of Tourism Ireland's "Ireland Specialists" online training programme, which is designed to help travel agents and tour operators in emerging tourism markets sell holidays to the island of Ireland.
The visiting travel agents' itinerary included trips to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Kylemore Abbey, Voya Seaweed Baths, the Museum of Free Derry, the Giant's Causeway and Titanic Belfast.
"A Reward For Excelling"
Tourism Ireland's head of Asia, Middle East and UK Inbound, David Boyce, commented, "As a reward for excelling in their 'Ireland Specialists' training, we invited this group of travel agents to come and experience some of the many things to see and do on the island of Ireland. Familiarisation trips such as this are extremely important, as influential travel agents get to experience first-hand our superb tourism offering. Our aim is to enthuse the travel agents about the destination so that, when they return home, they will be even better informed to advise their clients when planning and booking their holidays."
"We have an extensive programme of promotions under way throughout 2019, which includes working with key travel agents and tour operators in China, India and the Middle East. Tourism Ireland is committed to growing visitor numbers from emerging tourism markets, and familiarisation trips such as this play a significant role in helping us achieve this goal."
© 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.
