Ireland was on the menu for foodies in Colorado recently when Tourism Ireland had a presence for the first time ever at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
The Food & Wine Classic is a high-end lifestyle show, which was attended by about 5,000 people over three days, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase Ireland and the culinary experience on offer here for American visitors.
Ireland is becoming increasingly well-known for the quality of its food, with a reputation for natural products used in both traditional and innovative dishes; and the quality of our food is one of the key themes being promoted by Tourism Ireland in the United States this year.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s head of North America, said such events, "provide an excellent platform to spread the word about the many great experiences that American holidaymakers can enjoy around the island of Ireland and in particular the superb quality of our food, which is such a vital component of the holiday experience nowadays.” Meanwhile nine Irish tourism companies travelled to Lyon to take part in a business tourism promotion organised by Tourism Ireland in France. The promotion was attended by some of the top conference and meeting planners based in and around the city of Lyon. It provided a valuable platform for the participating Irish companies, including hotels, professional conference organisers and convention bureaux, to showcase and sell their product and to communicate what is unique about Ireland as a conference and business tourism destination. Fiona O’Mahony, Tourism Ireland’s head of Europe, said: “Business tourism is an important, high yield sector and Tourism Ireland in France has a busy programme of promotions under way throughout 2014, to grow this type of tourism. Our networking event in Lyon provided Tourism Ireland, and our industry partners, with an excellent opportunity to highlight our world-class business and conference facilities, as well as the great experiences delegates can enjoy in Ireland on the sidelines of their conference or meeting.”
Both events helped to highlight new Irish attractions such as the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route and events happening this year such as the Croke Park Classic and Limerick City of Culture 2014.
