Several Irish tourism companies travelled to Brussels recently to take part in a sales blitz organised by Tourism Ireland.
The hospitality industry operatives were targeting influential international associations and incentive agents based in the Belgian capital.
Over the three days, the Irish tourism companies met with senior representatives and decision-makers involved in the business tourism sector in Belgium – in a bid to win a greater share of the lucrative conference and business tourism market for Ireland.
Danielle Neyts, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Belgium, said: “Given that the headquarters of more than 2,000 associations are located in Brussels, it makes sense for us to proactively target this sector. These associations regularly hold conferences for thousands of delegates in different venues around the world, delivering significant economic benefits to the host country."
Business tourism is the most lucrative form of tourism, offering significant economic benefits, and given that the headquarters of more than 2,000 associations are based in Brussels, the city is an important source of business tourism and conferences for Ireland.
"We were delighted so many of these key Belgian decision-makers took the time to meet our partners, to hear about our superb meetings and conference facilities and what makes the island of Ireland special as a business destination.”
Pictured: (back, l-r) Katja Nolan, Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation; Emer Relihan, The Convention Centre Dublin; and Orla Kraft, Tourism Ireland; (front, l-r) Christophe de Patoul, Irish Horizons Conference & Incentive; and Danielle Neyts, Tourism Ireland.
