Trade & Consumer Fairs
Fáilte Ireland organises overseas promotions each year aimed at the travel trade and the consumer. The Promotions Department has produced a Calendar of Travel and Consumer Promotions for all Fáilte Ireland markets.
Trade Promotions
Trade Promotions take several forms.
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Tour Operator Workshops
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Retail Workshops
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Trade Familiarisation Visits
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Trade Evenings, 'Breakfasts, etc.
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Trade Fairs
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Task Forces
Ireland Holiday Tour Operators' Workshops
The overall objective for these types of workshop is to get overseas Tour Operators to meet and do business with Irish suppliers with a view to either introducing or extending programmes to Ireland. These workshops operate on a pre-arranged appointment basis. Priority is given to the Tour Operators requirements. Tour Operator Workshops are held annually in Ireland. One covers English speaking countries, the second Northern Europe and the third the Mediterranean countries. An invitation to attend any of these workshops is through recommendation by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with the Regional Tourism Authority.
Overseas Tour Operator and Retail Travel Agents' Workshops
The two biggest overseas Tour Operator Workshops are held in North America and Britain. Other markets host workshops on a smaller scale. These Workshops operate in a similar fashion to those held in Ireland. Retail Travel Agents Workshops are organised to provide a forum for market-based Tour Operators, together with related Irish Tour Operators and suppliers and carriers, to market the coming season's programmes to the Retail Travel Agents. The format is 10-minute sessions during which the sellers present their product to up to 12 agents at a time. The best known retail workshop promotion has taken place annually in the US This promotion includes Trade Breakfasts in approx. 50 cities nationwide. Presentations are made by Irish Trade to all participants. Invitation to these workshops/ breakfasts is restricted to Irish suppliers who are either:
Trade Familiarisation Visits
Retail Travel Agents are also being communicated with through a self-study programme known as the Ireland Experts Travel Training Programme. This course, which has already commenced in Britain and soon to commence in North America, comprises of seven training modules covering all aspects of Irish Tourism. On completion of the year long course qualified Ireland Experts will participate on a familiarisation visit to Ireland. This is an excellent opportunity for you to host those who assist/direct the decision making process of the holidaymaker. For further information contact Promotions Department.
Trade Evenings/Breakfast Seminars
These are organised normally in co-operation with overseas Tour Operators and carriers to promote holidays in Ireland to local retail agents and group organisers. Irish trade are sometimes involved.
Trade Fairs
Fáilte Ireland takes a stand at selected Trade Fairs. Appropriate Irish trade are invited to participate on the stand with Fáilte Ireland depending on the nature and size of the fair. Some such fairs are ITB Berlin, BIT Milan, World Travel Market, London and FITUR in Madrid. Refer to Calendar.
Sales Promotions
Fáilte Ireland occasionally mounts a Sales Promotion in cooperation with the Irish trade. Appointments are set up with Tour Operators and travel organisers in the markets. Members of the Irish trade visit these contacts and promote general Irish holidays together with their own product. The advantage of these operations is the strength of the Irish message when a large team is promoting at the one time. Sales Promotions are normally used to sell a specific message - off-season travel, lower air fares, safety of destination etc.
Consumer Promotions
Consumer promotions normally take the form of:
Consumer Holiday Fairs
Fáilte Ireland organises an Ireland stand at selected holiday fairs. Members of the Irish trade are invited to share the Ireland stand. Stands are primarily for information and distributing promotional brochures to prospective visitors. Nearly every market has a major holiday fair at which there is an Ireland stand. Refer to the Calendar.
Consumer Days or Evenings
Fáilte Ireland, together with Tour Operators and Carriers, organises Irish Consumer Days and Consumer Evenings. These promotions are aimed directly at potential visitors. The format includes desks or stands for the sellers, good Irish entertainment, including a draw for an Irish holiday and other prizes. Members of the public are invited along to visit the stands and enjoy the Irish atmosphere. Refer to the Calendar.
Specialist Activity Promotions
Specialist activity promotions are organised by Fáilte Ireland in cooperation with the specialist Tour Operators in the markets to promote specific products to interested consumers. Stands are taken at golf exhibitions, boat shows, agricultural shows, activity shows etc. Fáilte Ireland has a Product Promotions Department with six executives responsible for promoting different products. A list is available from the Marketing Advisory Service.
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