“Experience Ireland” hits Australian and New Zealand shores

Tourism Ireland’s 2023 Roadshow themed Experience Ireland has concluded in Australia & New Zealand after a full 9 days of activities across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland.

More than 400 travel advisors, 150 industry executives and media connected with, and heard from Tourism Ireland’s Vice President of North America, Australia and New Zealand, Alison Metcalfe, along with the nine tourism suppliers from the island of Ireland – EPIC the IRISH Emigration Museum, Titanic Belfast, Original Irish Hotels, Killeavy Castle, Park Hotel Kenmare, Griffin Group, Visit Derry, MCT Tours and Hastings Hotels.

Tying in with Tourism Ireland’s ongoing Press the Green Button recovery campaign, the Irish tourism suppliers provided local industry with various updates on their product offering, new experiences as well as incentives.

Attendees also enjoyed some entertainment including live traditional Irish music and dancing at each event.

Alison Metcalfe says, “This roadshow has been a very important part of the rebuilding phase of travel to the island  Ireland, to ensure that our valued local Australian and New Zealand industry partners are updated on the excellent tourism offerings available across the island in 2023, and beyond.

“During the events we have also highlighted Tourism Ireland’s ongoing goals for sustainable travel, including encouraging Australian and New Zealand travel agents to book their clients in the shoulder seasons, and to visit some of the lesser-known sites and regions across the Island of Ireland.”

“Our sales mission is an important element of our programme of activity in the market this year to highlight the many things to see and do, and all that is new and exciting, on a holiday in Ireland,” director, Tourism Ireland Australia and New Zealand, Sofia Hansson, said.

“Introducing the tourism companies from Ireland to our trade partners here in Australia and New Zealand gives the local travel industry a fantastic insight into the warm welcome and hospitality that Ireland is known for.

“Through the events we have been able to showcase the ways in which Tourism Ireland supports the travel trade through ongoing training and webinars, co-op marketing campaigns, and famil opportunities to the Island of Ireland.”

The ‘Press The Green Button’ was launched in early 2022 as a tourism recovery campaign post COVID with a simple message, “This is the right time to explore our amazing coastal cliffs, rugged mountains and fire-warmed pubs. So what are you waiting for? Go on, press the Green Button and book your trip today!”

Featured image: Delegates group photo (L-R); Michael Cowell – MCT Tours, Sofia Hansson – Tourism Ireland, Finola McDermott – EPIC, Alison Metcalfe – Tourism Ireland, Eimear Lafferty – Titanic Belfast, Eoin McGrath – Hastings Hotels, Robin and Mick Boyle – Killeavy Castle, Fiona Delahunty – Griffin Group, Alison Deegan – Original Irish Hotels, Odhran Dunne – Visit Derry, Francis Brennan – Park Hotel Kenmare.