Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Fáilte Ireland, the State tourism agency, explained that to Ireland in 2019, it successfully attracted international conferences as well as business events worth €212 million to the economy. It was an increase of 4 per cent.
The chief executive of the agency, Mr. Paul Kelly, stated that about €47 million worth of conference and meetings business were attracted to regional locations outside Dublin, in together with regional convention bureaus in Galway, Kerry, Cork and Shannon.
Also, Fáilte Ireland stated that it focuses to grow the share of the international business tourism market section of the state in 2020. Tourism officials have given more importance on attracting business tourism in recent years, as they are more inclined to spend on meals and accommodation per head than average leisure tourists.
In general, business tourism is worth €740 million to the economy and State officials are focusing to drive this beyond €1 billion annually over the next five years.
“We already have over 660 leads for international business events that we are working on converting which would generate more than €400 million to the economy,” said Ciara Gallagher, Fáilte Ireland’s “Meet in Ireland” manager.
For the sector, recent wins include the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, which in 2021 will attract 600 delegates to the State, worth €1.1 million.
This April, a convention in Dublin of medical professionals from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is anticipated to attract 2,800 delegates, churning out almost €4.6 million for the economy. In the meantime, a convention of librarians in August is expected to generate €6.4 million from 4,000 delegates.
Slowly, Chinese tourists, who were recognized by Irish officials as a profitable market to make the most for future growth, have largely stopped travel to European capitals in recent weeks because of the outbreak of coronavirus, according to multiple reports.
Tags: Failte Ireland
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