Tourism

Tourism Ireland seeks extra €20m

Tourism Ireland has asked the Government for at least €20 million in extra funding to pay for international advertising when the Covid-19 crisis ends.The funding being sought is ngibbons1219 in addition to its annual marketing budget of about €45 million.

Tourism Ireland began cancelling its international advertising campaigns in the first week of March, when demand for international travel began to shrivel. The agency is now preparing plans to launch a massive advertising blitz later in the year, whenever the crisis eases and travel is allowed again, to try to salvage some of the 2020 season for an industry reeling from the impact of coronavirus.

Niall Gibbons, the chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said he believes that 2020 “is not a write off just yet”. He said the immediate priority was State support for struggling tourism businesses themselves.

Lords party launches campaign

Kicking off an extensive programme of St Patrick’s celebrations around the world, Tourism Ireland co-sponsored a special reception in the House of Lords in London . The event, lords0320

celebrating British-Irish relations, was attended by members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, as well as leaders of the Irish community living in London, influential travel trade, business tourism and media contacts.

Pictured are The Right Honourable The Lord Dubs; HE Adrian O Neill, Irish Ambassador to the UK; and Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland.

Spanish agents on tour

A group of Spanish travel agents has been exploring Ireland this week – as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. They work with Special Tours, one of the largest spain 0320 traditional tour operators in Spain.The Spanish travel agents are pictured with Susan Bolger, Tourism Ireland (front, right), during their visit to Slane Castle, Co Meath.

The aim of the visit was to familiarise the travel agents with Ireland and our superb tourism offering, so that when they return home they will be even better informed to advise their clients when planning and booking their holidays. The group’s action-packed itinerary included Slane Castle and Slane Distillery, Newgrange and EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum.

Ireland at DC Show

Tourism Ireland attended the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington DC this weekend – promoting Ireland as a great vacation destination with lots of options for outdoor washington0320 activities and soft adventure.

The US travel advisors are pictured with Paul McDonagh, Tourism Ireland (left); and James Foley, Beyond the Glass Adventure Tours (right), at the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington DC.

The annual two-day event provided an excellent platform to showcase some of our superb soft adventure and outdoor activities to potential US holidaymakers, as well as to US travel advisors, lifestyle and travel journalists and influencers.

Video promotes islands

Tourism Ireland has unveiled a new online film showcasing the charming islands to be found right around Ireland. Spike Island Cobh2

The video is called "Explore the islands of Ireland” and was created by Tourism Ireland to show people everywhere what to expect when you go off the beaten track and visit our breathtaking islands. Tourism Ireland is reminding prospective visitors that each island is unique – some are home to wonderful wildlife, some are full of local traditions, while others have ancient wonders steeped in myth and legend!

The video features just some of our unique islands – including Devenish Island, the Skelligs, the Aran Islands, Rathlin Island, the Saltees, Garnish Island, Dursey Island, Copeland Island, Achill Island and Arranmore.