A delegation of 120 senior travel and tourism professionals from China visited Dublin last weekend.
Representing 19 different provincial tourism administrations from around China, the visiting group came to the country to attend China Tourism Night, which took place in Dublin on Friday November 10. The event was organised by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Chinese government authority responsible for the development of tourism.
The event involved workshops and a networking dinner, where the visiting Chinese group had the opportunity to share knowledge, experience and best practice with their Irish counterparts. It was also an opportunity to build relationships between the tourism industries in Ireland and China.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, HE Dr Yue Xiaoyong, as well as Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail, were in attendance.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said, “The event and the visit provide an excellent opportunity to showcase Dublin and Ireland to this influential group of Chinese travel professionals. We look forward to working even more closely with the CNTA and regional Chinese tourism bodies in 2018 – the special EU-China Year of Tourism.”
According to the latest data from the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), China is now the world’s largest outbound travel market – with 122 million people travelling overseas last year, spending about $261 billion.
Tourism Ireland has a strong network in China, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The organisation’s activity in China involves establishing and building relationships with influential intermediaries, including the travel trade, airlines and media – highlighting our natural attractions, cities, castles and proximity to Britain.
