German tour operator DER Touristik has announced that its annual travel academy will take place in Killarney in October of 2020.
The event will take place over three nights and approximately 300 German travel agents, as well as travel journalists and senior managers from DER Touristik, are expected to attend.
"A Real Vote Of Confidence In Killarney And Ireland"
Minister for tourism and sport Brendan Griffin stated, "The decision by Der Touristik to hold its 2020 travel academy in Killarney is a real vote of confidence in Killarney and Ireland, and is testament to the strong appeal of Kerry and the island of Ireland as a 'must see' destination for German holiday-makers. With around 300 travel professionals expected to attend, this event will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to showcase Kerry and Ireland as a destination with a wide range of things to see and do, particularly in the shoulder season months. It will also deliver longer-term benefits for Kerry and Ireland as a whole."
"A Tremendous Honour"
Meanwhile, Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons commented, "It is a tremendous honour for Killarney to have won this prestigious event in the face of competition from other destinations. Tourism Ireland is delighted to have played its part in securing this event, which confirms Killarney and Ireland as a world-class destination. Germany is our third-largest source of visitors and in 2018 we welcomed 784,000 German visitors to the island of Ireland. This travel academy presents a superb opportunity to show these influential travel agents what's on offer here and will help increase the number of German holiday-makers to Ireland in 2021 and beyond."
"Delighted"
Der Touristik senior vice president of sales and marketing Kevin Keogh added, "As the market leader for tourism from Germany to the island of Ireland for well over 50 years, DER Touristik is delighted to bring its 300 top travel agents to Ireland for our 2020 academy and to encourage them the discover the 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.
