Tag Archives: Tourism Ireland

It will be two days of networking with the travel trade in the Middle East as Tourism Ireland hosts their first-ever virtual roadshow on March 8 and 9, 2021 from 2pm to 6pm UAE time. Over the past few years, Ireland has become one of the most important outbound destinations for travellers from the Middle East. The rich history, its luscious greenery and the natural beauty which captured also the hearts of filmmakers made this an even better irresistible destination. The event will include 28 partners along with the Tourism Ireland national tourism organisation itself and it will entail key features that define the destination and its many offerings to the discerning traveller from the Middle East. Bespoke tours are highly popular with travellers from the Middle East as they always crave that exceptional service which will provide them something more personalized, Azab Ayoub -Managing Director – Belfast Services shares, “We are a bespoke tour and hospitality in Ireland. We follow the health and safety guideline and social destined in our tours and all our cars disinfected before and after use from our guest. As I’m an Arabic speaking tour guide I work only for Arabic speaking guests so the Middle East is a very important market for us. We work very closely with the Irish tourist board who advertise Ireland in the Middle East, letting the market know we have an Arabic company and a tour guide in Ireland. Our USP is the beauty of Ireland the green, wildness, halal food, history and tours in Arabic.”

Tourism Ireland will conduct its maiden roadshow with 27 partners on 8th and 9th March 2021 from 2 to 6 pm UAE time. Ashford Castle will partner at the event and Shane Brett, Sales Executive, Ashford Castle states, “While the Middle East market is a newer market for us it is certainly one of great interest and a market in which we feel we are very well placed to provide an extraordinary experience for travellers coming from the Middle East. We are currently working closely with the team in both Tourism Ireland and Leading Hotels of the World to increase our exposure to travel agents and tour operators in the Middle East and building their knowledge of the Estate therefore enabling them to better serve their clients. Exceptional Heritage – dating back to 1228, Ashford Castle is Ireland’s Oldest Castle Hotel, the first hotel in Ireland to be voted Best of the Best by Virtuoso, and the very first and only Forbes Five Star property in Ireland.  The Ashford Family and longevity of service – with 290 team members working in the Castle with a combined service of 1,700 years, 29 of those team members have over 800 years of service, therefore we have 800 years of history matched with 800 years of service.  An Extraordinary Estate – the expansive 350-acre Estate offers close to 30 activities within a 5/6 minute walk from the front door of the Castle, our guests can try their hand at everything from falconry, shooting, fishing with our Estate Ghillie, tree climbing, zip-lining and so much more.  VIP arrivals guaranteed to all guests of the Castle arriving by private aircraft into Ireland West Airport Knock.”

The countdown has begun for the Tourism Ireland virtual roadshow which promises to bring in a host of networking opportunities to the travel fraternity. Their maiden roadshow for the Middle East on March 8 & 9, 2021. Vicky Green -Associate Director Business Development – Andras Hotels shared, “Buyers should and can expect the same high-quality welcome, service, and product for their guests. Hygiene has always been a priority but now it is complemented with additional safeguard measures following strict brand guidelines, all delivered safely and sensitively without impacting the guest experience. Buyers can also expect flexibility on terms & conditions as we work to support each other.” She stressed the importance of the Middle East market. “We have been welcoming visitors from the Middle East for a long time across a variety of our properties and for a variety of reasons. I attended the 2020 Tourism Ireland sales mission and travelled out to the market to meet with agents & operators in person. Even though we can’t do that this year being part of this type of event helps demonstrate our commitment to the market.  The diversity of our portfolio, operating multiple brands to suit a range of clients. One point of contact for all properties saving valuable time and energy when searching for options.”  

Tourism Ireland is geared up to kick off their maiden Virtual roadshow for the Middle East on 8th and 9th March 2021. Adams and Butler known as the Hallmark of Luxury Travel pledged their support and partnership at the event. Siobhan Byrne Learat, CEO & Private Travel Designer stated that they will be ensuring that all clients will be kept well informed of all developments such as entry requirements especially at this point of time of uncertainty. She reiterated, “We are also getting requests for more off-the-beaten track places and for longer stays.  All the hotels, drivers and guides we work with, are fully Covid compliant and sensitive. We have also changed our cancellation terms.  Since May 2020 we give 100% credit for any postponements and offer commission to the travel agent at time of booking as soon as the deposit hits our account. Travel agents are so important to Adams & Butler. We appreciate and value their business so much, and we know that it is imperative that they get their commission as soon as possible so that all of us in the travel industry survive.” Learat further stated that the Middle East market is a very important one, “The Middle Eastern market is huge for us, especially as we offer a lot of interesting options for families and honeymoons. We get a lot of family bookings whereby the clients want to rent apartments, villas, country houses and estates or castles to stay in.  We have access to about 200 properties that you can rent for a family or couple on an exclusive-use basis, dotted all over Ireland.  We can also supply whatever other services you may require, such …

Inaugural virtual trade show for the Middle East hosted by Tourism Ireland will kick off on March 8-9, 2021 from 2 to 5pm UAE time. Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland shared how the tourism offerings in Ireland has evolved with the covid 19 pandemic and the safety of the destination. “We strongly believe 2021 will see the restart of international travel. Tourism Ireland is actively planning for that restart with a three-phase plan – restart, rebuild and redesign. The priority for 2021 will be to restart tourism to the island of Ireland through a significant kick-start campaign, which will be launched across 12 markets, including the GCC, when the time is right to drive bookings and revenue for tourism businesses. It will deliver a very clear ‘book now’ message to create demand for holidays across the island of Ireland. Tourism suppliers from all sectors across the Island of Ireland have been implementing the newly required health and safety measures without compromising the holiday experience that makes Ireland so special and the great Irish welcome that we’re famous for. Tourism Ireland’s research consistently highlights the island of Ireland as one of the destinations holidaymakers will be most comfortable visiting when international travel resumes.” He further stated the partners and how it will all work out during the two day event. “Twenty-five tourism suppliers from around the island of Ireland will be taking part in Tourism Ireland’s first virtual trade show in the Middle East. The two-day B2B event in partnership with TravTalk Middle East aims to promote the island of Ireland’s exciting holiday experiences and to reassure the travel industry that we are ready to welcome their clients as …

Tourism Ireland is gearing up for their first ever virtual roadshow with the Middle East travel trade on March 8-9, 2021 between 2pm and 5pm UAE time. Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland stated, “Twenty-five tourism suppliers from around the island of Ireland will be taking part in Tourism Ireland’s first virtual trade show in the Middle East. The two-day B2B event in partnership with TravTalk Middle East aims to promote the island of Ireland’s exciting holiday experiences and to reassure the travel industry that we are ready to welcome their clients as soon as possible. This virtual event will highlight Ireland’s boutique hotels, castles and luxury resorts and self-catering accommodation offerings in addition to the wide variety of superb culinary scene, world-class golf, outdoor, soft adventure and screen tourism experiences on offer across the island, which all boast the necessary safety charter measures.” Siobhan Naughton, Trade Executive Middle East & Asia, stated, “Tourism Ireland is looking forward to hosting its first virtual roadshow in association with TravTalk Middle East for GCC travel trade across the region in March on the 8th and 9th March. Over the course of these two days travel trade will have the opportunity to have 1-2-1 meetings with 25 key Island of Ireland industry partners who will showcase the accommodation, attractions and activity offering across the Island. There will also be an opportunity to meet the team from Tourism Ireland who are based here in the region and to discuss how we can all work together to help to promote this exciting destination.”

Attended by a record number of agents from the GCC, Tourism Ireland hosted their second webinar with the spokesperson from Tourism Ireland for GCC and 4 other partners. Siobhan Naughton, Marketing and Trade Executive, Tourism Ireland shared an overview about the destination, the flight access and the latest updates about the covid centric practices and safety charters  which still includes the quarantine period of 14 days. She mentioned about the British Irish Visa Scheme; the visa requirements for other GCC countries and shared that they were very busy preparing for visitors to travel to Ireland soon. She then opened the floor for industry speakers starting off with Byrne Learat – Founder & CEO – Adams and Butler (DMC). She gave an in depth presentation on the various programmes and itineraries that can be tailor made for the guests. She shared that they remit part of the commission to the agents that book the clients especially at this period of time so that it will help both parties to continue in their business. She mentioned that Ireland is known as ‘island of horses’ and as DMC they do prepare itineraries to accommodate the requests of the clients. She stated that especially travellers from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia prefer to self -drive and discover the destination, hence this is the ideal destination. Avril Collins – Marketing Manager – Ireland’s Blue Bookwhich includes a romantic collection of over 50 Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants shared many interesting details about the different properties under their belt. From five star elegant properties to Michelin star restaurants that can really add a lot more to the itinerary of the discerning traveller. …

A team of experts from Ireland will join you in the comfort of your office or home for a good session about the exciting destination today at 3pm UAE time. Siobhan Naughton, Marketing and Trade Executive, Tourism Ireland stated that in this special webinar exclusively for the travel trade from GCC and India will focus on many interesting factors with regard to the destination. Their proactive efforts over the past has gained them a place in the travel arena among some of the key players, however, their offerings are more unique with not just the beautiful outdoors but rich in history, culture and natural beauty in lavish environments. You can be transported to the lands of the kings and queens long ago with the many castles that are in the destination. She will be joined by some partners from the destination; Eimear Lafferty -Leisure Markets Manager – Northern Ireland willshare about the visitor attraction opened in 2012 with the great Titanic story as it unfolds. Joe Shannon   –   CEO – G Golf Ireland will be sharing some exclusive information for those “Golfers” who always look for a new area to play. Avril Collins – Marketing Manager – Ireland’s Blue Book which includes a romantic collection of over 50 Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants will have a lot to share about these interesting places. Lastly, Siobhan Byrne Learat – Founder & CEO – Adams and Butler – well versed in Arabic and Middle East culture will share some insight for the travellers in the Middle East conforming to their most important travel requirements.

Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons has unveiled the Emirates Airline and Tourism Ireland Sales Mission at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai. The Sales Mission is part of Tourism Ireland’s continued efforts to drive tourism from the UAE to the island of Ireland and provides unique networking opportunity for Irish suppliers and the UAE travel trade community. With six speakers, five presentations and a networking session followed by a series of one to one sessions with Irish suppliers, the mission was attended by 90 tour operators and included a key note speech from Gerald Lawless, Head of Tourism and Hospitality at Dubai Holding. Nine Irish suppliers attended the mission, including DMC’s, hotels, retail outlets and attractions. The Sales Mission showcased the island of Ireland’s filming locations of hit TV series Game of Thrones and blockbuster movie, Star Wars. During his visit to the UAE, Gibbons also met with Mohammed Al Rais, CEO of Al Rais Travels. Tourism Ireland and Al Rais Travel have recently joined together to bring one of the region’s top bloggers, Taim Al Falasi, to tour the island of Ireland. During the Sales Mission, Al Rais Travel launched a new seven day itinerary ‘Taim’s Ireland Experience’, allowing fans of the blogger to follow in her footsteps and experience the island of Ireland.  As part of the destination’s focus on innovation to attract new audiences, Tourism Ireland also invited agents and partners to view a series of Virtual Reality Films during the roadshow which brought stunning itineraries to life including The Wild Atlantic Way and Belfast City through personal VR viewers made available to attendees.