Fáilte Ireland are today (Tuesday November 14) hosting 35 members of the Incoming Tour Operators Association (ITOA) on a familiarisation trip and networking evening which will be held at Solis Lough Eske Castle, Donegal, to showcase the potential of the stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way north of Galway, which includes Donegal and Sligo, and to encourage them to promote this part of the route as a standalone product internationally.
The ITOA members deliver a great deal of international business to Ireland and can greatly influence their international tour operator partners with regard to how Ireland is positioned abroad.
Fáilte Ireland has prioritised the promotion of those parts of the Wild Atlantic Way with greatest potential for growth in its domestic marketing this year placing greater emphasis on the northern stretch of the route.
Fáilte Ireland also works closely with the Irish based operators to grow their business to Ireland and particularly to support this growth into areas where there is great capacity and potential to expand activity.
Martin Donnelly, Fáilte Ireland's business development manager, said, “By showcasing the Wild Atlantic Way north of Galway and by introducing products and experiences that have genuine appeal for new programmes, we hope to provide these tour operators with a new way to view – and pitch - the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Our Irish incoming tour operators have played a key role in delivering the success we have seen in recent years in our international holidaymaker numbers and we are confident that, through working in partnership with organisations such as the ITOA, we can support future growth as well as ensure we spread tourism right along the western seaboard.”
