Top British coach & group tour operators gather in Limerick for ‘Destination Ireland’ Workshop

Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland and Shannon Development, today welcomed more than top UK coach and group tour operators at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick for a one day Destination Ireland Workshop.

The agents, who are all members from top level groups in the UK, will attend the one day workshop as part of a regional familiarisation visit. Workshops, such as this, offer significant benefits to both Irish industry representatives and overseas buyers, allowing participants to meet with many more buyers and suppliers at a lower cost than would be possible on an individual purchasing sales trip.
 
Britain is Ireland's largest overseas market, representing 48% of overseas visitors and 35% of overseas visitor spend in Ireland. However, demand from Britain weakened somewhat in 2008 and, according to CSO figures, in the first seven months of 2009, visits from Britain fell by 15% compared to the same period in 2008. This underlines the need for such initiatives as this week’s workshop.
 
This all day workshop facilitates one-to-one meetings between British coach and group tour operators and members of the Irish tourism industry. The event is aimed at four and five star hotel providers, handling agents and visitor attractions. Over forty Irish industry members will have appointments with each tour operator during this event, giving them the opportunity to introduce and promote their product and negotiate business deals.
 
John Concannon, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland, stressing the importance of the British market, said:

“Despite the downturn in tourism and the decline in overseas numbers over the last year, there will soon be a global economic upturn and it is imperative that Ireland, and regions such as the Shannon, are ideally positioned to take advantage of this.  The international tourism sector is highly competitive and, notwithstanding the current recession, Fáilte Ireland is not taking its foot off the pedal and is committed to showcasing Ireland at its best to key strategic target markets at every opportunity."
 
The Workshop for the UK agents is the first in a series of workshops provided by Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland. Later this month Fáilte Ireland has arranged a number of workshops such as the North America Destination Expo, which will be held in the Ritz Carlton, Enniskerry (on the 28th September) and on the 15th October the New & Developing Markets Expo will be held in the Westin Hotel Dublin.
 

Home Holidays Initiative

These initiatives with overseas markets are in addition to Fáilte Ireland’s ongoing marketing of the home holiday market. Indeed, this weekend sees the publication of Fáilte Ireland’s autumn edition of Discover Ireland which will be available to the public with a €50 cheque in each edition for readers to discount against a wide variety of great value accommodation around the country. Copies of the brochure will be available in tourist information offices throughout the country and also in selected national and local newspapers from this weekend.
 
John Concannon continued:

“Whether it is the home market or overseas, Fáilte Ireland is working to create the best possible trading condition for the tourism industry, despite the current economic challenges.”
 
Marian Leydon, Head of Tourism Marketing UK, at Shannon Development said:

“Shannon Development is delighted to welcome the prestigious British Coach and Group Tour Operators to Limerick and the Shannon Region. This influential grouping is a major part of our UK marketing strategy. We look forward to strengthening our relationship and business programmes with the group during their tour of the Shannon Region visiting attractions and their workshop event in Limerick,”

ENDS

For further information please contact
 
Alex Connolly
Head of Communications
(01) 8847884 / (086) 7966320
 
Note to editor:
 
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
 
The tourism and hospitality industry employs up to 250,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.

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