Five tourism companies from the south-east of Ireland travelled to Cherbourg this week, to take part in a networking event organised by Tourism Ireland, wherein they met and did business with local French travel professionals and journalists.
Details
The event, which took place on board Irish Ferries’ WB Yeats ship in Cherbourg, was organised to highlight the links between Normandy and Ireland, and, in particular, the south-east. It was also an opportunity to promote ease of access by ferry from France to Ireland for French holidaymakers.
Guests enjoyed a lunch prepared by Taste Wexford – using produce sourced from the south-east – as well a performance by Cork-based band Torcán.
Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Southern Europe, said, “Our networking event in Cherbourg was a really good opportunity for our partners from the south-east of Ireland to connect with influential French tour operators and travel agents. We highlighted the deep historical and cultural connections between Normandy and Ireland – particularly with Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny. Hosting the event on board Irish Ferries’ WB Yeats ship was also an excellent opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ease of access from France to Ireland by sea. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct access cannot be overstated.”
Additional Information
France is the fourth-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, according to Tourism Ireland, which also stated that, in 2019, the island welcomed 557,000 French visitors, whose visits delivered €283 million to the economy.
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