Knock Shrine represented at World Trade Market in London

Knock Shrine represented at World Trade Market in London


Michael Commins

KNOCK Shrine, which has been very much in the national and international news in recent weeks, was making news of a different kind when it was among the many Irish enterprises taking part in the recent World Trade Market in London.
Pat Lavelle from Knock Shrine Pilgrimages said he was very pleased with the considerable interest expressed in the Shrine by many in attendance. The event heralded the start of the promotional drive for the 2010 season.
“This is the premier event of its kind and I’ve been attending it for the last 20 years. Every country is there. Everyone was aware this year of the financial downturn in world markets and the extra strain in securing and promoting tourism.
“The pilgrimage market is a bit different. People who undertake pilgrimages often display a certain determination to make those trips. I was very happy with the level of interest and the amount of enquiries generated by our presence at the Irish stand,” said Pat.
Now in its 30th year, the World Trade Market is the largest in the global travel and tourism calendar year with over 50,000 industry representatives and 2,500 international media in attendance. This year, over 60 Irish tourism companies were exhibiting on the Tourism Ireland stand which provided an invaluable platform for them to negotiate and exchange vital contracts for 2010.
With over 200 countries all vying for business at the World Travel Market in London, Tourism Ireland was aiming to stand out from the crowd and capture the attention of the influential global media and travel trade in attendance with an Irish ‘spectacular’. The lunchtime event included a performance by Riverdance, Irish storytellers, live traditional music, the best of Irish food, with compere Patrick Kielty.