UK inbound tour operators are on a fact-finding visit of Ireland this week as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. They are also attending a B2B workshop with Irish tourism enterprises in the Heritage Hotel, Co Laois.
The visiting tour operators are responsible for putting in place the arrangements for holidaymakers to Britain and the island of Ireland from all over the world. The aim of the visit is to enthuse the operators about selling Ireland and to grow Ireland's share of the worldwide travel market, with a particular focus on increasing business from new and emerging tourism markets such as China.
The group’s itinerary included a panoramic tour of Cork city, a cycle on the Waterford Greenway, a visit to Huntington Castle & Gardens and the Gaelic Games experience in Glasnevin.
Importance Of Expanding Focus
David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Middle East, Asia and Emerging Markets, said, “Tourism Ireland is delighted this influential group of UK inbound tour operators took time out of their busy schedules to come and experience what Ireland has to offer. The majority of our overseas visitors come from the core markets of North America, Mainland Europe and Britain, and while this will continue, it is important that we expand our focus beyond these markets and look to the long-term opportunities presented by emerging tourism markets, which we believe will play an increasing role in the future of the travel and tourism industry. It is therefore crucial that influential tour operators working in these markets get to experience Ireland, and the high standard of our tourism offering, at first-hand.”
© 2018 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.