The first graduates of an innovative tourism programme to help Irish businesses to compete in China today received their ‘Chinese Tourist Welcome’ quality label today at Fáilte Ireland’s HQ in Amiens Street, Dublin.
The Irish tourism industry is being urged to ‘Get China Ready’ in advance of the operation of the first direct flights from Hong Kong to Dublin in June 2018. Recognising the vast potential of China, Fáilte Ireland – in cooperation with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland - is delivering a China Welcome Programme which aims to educate the industry about the opportunities available from the Chinese tourist market. This programme is also in keeping with Fáilte Ireland’s work to assist tourism businesses to diversify their market mix and reduce the risks currently posed by Brexit. (www.failteireland.ie/Brexit)
The first ‘Chinese Tourist Welcome’ certificates were awarded to:
• The City North Hotel (Gormanston, Co. Meath) member of Select Hotel Group
• The Westgrove Hotel (Clane, Co. Kildare) member of Select Hotel Group
• The Select Hotel Group, Northern Ireland
• The Hastings Group, Northern Ireland
• Glen Keen Farm in Mayo
• Cobh Heritage Centre, Cork
• Newbridge Silverware, Kildare
Speaking at the event, Tara Kerry, Business Development Manager for Developing Markets at Fáilte Ireland said that China has a tremendous capacity to deliver a hugely significant number of tourists to Ireland and it is vital that industry is in a position to welcome them. She added:
“The China Welcome Programme is being put in place to ensure that our tourism industry is best positioned to capitalise on the much anticipated Cathay Pacific’s upcoming direct flights from Hong Kong to Dublin in June 2018. Successful participants of the programme acquire the ‘Chinese Tourist Welcome’ Quality Label and become certified as a Chinese Tourist Welcome Quality Host for two years, which is renewable with branch-specific Chinese Tourist Welcome training. The pilot programme covers modules such as Cultural Awareness, Routes to Market and Food & Beverage.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Alex Connolly – Fáilte Ireland Communications
086 7966320 / 01 8847884
Catherine Whelan – Fáilte Ireland
086 7812686 / 01 8847135
Jump to top