National Tourism Development Authority looking to grow business even further at IMEX Frankfurt
Fáilte Ireland has confirmed that 162 international conferences worth €67million have been secured for Ireland so far this year. This represents an increase of over 15% in the value of the events secured over the same period last year, with the figures also showing strong growth in the regions.
The National Tourism Development Authority is looking to drive these numbers even higher over the coming days at the annual IMEX Frankfurt event, which kicks off on Tuesday.
IMEX is one of the largest worldwide exhibitions for incentive travel, meetings and events. Fáilte Ireland will showcase Ireland as a world-class business events destination to over 3,200 suppliers and 5,500 meeting planners who organise international meetings, incentives, conferences and events.
A central focus of Fáilte Ireland’s pitch at IMEX will be on growing business tourism into the regions. So far this year, Fáilte Ireland has supported the conversion of €14million for locations outside of Dublin through Regional Convention Bureaux in Shannon, Cork, Kerry and Galway.
Speaking ahead of IMEX Frankfurt, Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said:
“Fáilte Ireland is focused on leveraging the strong potential of Business Tourism to generate greater tax revenue and employment for Ireland over the coming years. This sector has huge potential for growth. Testament to this is the fact that, just ahead of the mid-year mark, we are already on track to exceed our growth targets for Business Tourism in 2018. I’m particularly pleased to see steady growth in business tourism in the regions. Conferences and business events are benefitting regions outside Dublin but they could play a much bigger part – this will be a strategic focus of our work over the coming years and we’re hoping to convert even more business for regional Ireland at IMEX Frankfurt this week.”
Speaking about the importance of representing Ireland at events like IMEX Frankfurt, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Commercial Development Paul Mockler, added:
“Thanks to Ireland’s amazing hospitality, ease of access, venues and leading industries, Ireland manages to punch well above its weight in winning business events and we have been seeking out every possible opportunity to bring even more big events to Irish shores. Events like IMEX are a key opportunity to get major overseas meetings, conferences and events booked in for the years ahead. We have top-class Irish industry joining us, and they are showcasing the best of Ireland to these influential buyers.”
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