For the first time ever, Tourism Ireland hosted 8 key Indian travel trade to Ireland’s largest tourism trade fair, Meitheal 2016, which was organised by Tourism Ireland. This workshop brought together over 310 overseas buyers and 455 Irish tourism businesses for two days of negotiating business deals. There were approximately 12,000 face to face meetings organised over the duration of this event – allowing international and Irish operators to meet and agree business for the 2017 season.
In the run up to Meitheal 2016 workshop, the India travel trade had an opportunity to experience Ireland’s destination brands – Dublin, Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way which was a key focus of their itinerary. The Indian trade enjoyed their visit to the vibrant medieval city of Glendalough and Kilkenny. In Kilkenny the group played and experienced the ancient Celtic game of Hurling. The itinerary also included a visit to some of Ireland’s most iconic attractions such as Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Trinity College and The Waterford Crystal Centre along with some great Irish traditional enthralling music, song and dance experience. In Northern Ireland, agents also visited the Titanic Belfast and a tour of HMS Caroline that will be opened to the public in June 2016.
Huzan Fraser Motivala, India Representative, Tourism Ireland who accompanied the group for this key trade fair said “India is an important market for Tourism Ireland and one that we are committed to growing. Over the last five years, we have seen a year-on-year increase of over 25% in Indian visitor arrival numbers to the island of Ireland. The Irish Visa Applications YTD 16 have also seen a 43% increase in visa applications compared to the same period last year. Factors in our favour include increased air access to Ireland, particularly by Etihad Airways and Emirates via the Middle East. The recently launched British Irish Visa Scheme also makes it easier for tourists from India who are visiting Great Britain to also visit Ireland, without the cost or hassle of applying for a separate visa. We hope that this FAM trip will help the travel trade to create customised itineraries to promote Ireland to their clients. Going forward, we will look to organise more such activities through 2016 and are confident of witnessing a growth in the number of Indian visitors to Ireland.”
