Two per cent growth envisaged for North American visitors

Two per cent growth envisaged for North American visitors


Anton McNulty

A TOURISM seminar in Belmullet has heard that Tourism Ireland hope to increase the numbers of visitors from North America to Ireland by two per cent for 2010.
The seminar which was entitled ‘Know North America, Grow North America’ was organised by Tourism Ireland and held in the Carne Golf Links in Belmullet last week. It was organised for enterprises interested in growing tourism business from from North America, and attendees included hoteliers, bed and breakfast operators, car hire companies and visitor attractions.
Presentations were made by US and Canadian tour operators as well as by Jim Brody of TripAdvisor who discussed online consumer travel patterns today. Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Vice President Marketing – United States explained they are undertaking strong campaigns providing compelling reasons for North Americans to visit Ireland and placing significant emphasis on value for money.
“North America is a very important market for tourism to the island of Ireland and Tourism Ireland is working closely with our industry partners to deliver a two per cent growth in visitors this year. We have an exceptionally strong promotional programme in place in the US and Canada for 2010. We are undertaking strong campaigns providing compelling reasons to visit and placing significant emphasis on value for money, to drive home to American consumers our message about the superb range of offers available around the island of Ireland.
“The event today provides our tourism industry partners with a greater understanding of the North American market and helps them as they plan for the rest of 2010 and evaluate the various opportunities and platforms for growing business from this market. Tourism Ireland is working more closely with our tourism industry partners than ever before this year, to help ‘close the sale’ with potential holidaymakers,” she added.
The seminar also included up-to-date research on the US and Canada markets from Tourism Ireland, information about promotional platforms and opportunities for 2010, as well as practical advice and tips about how to promote effectively and ultimately to grow business from these all-important markets.