Ireland shows it means business at trade show
World Travel Market 2009, Excel Centre, London By Diarmaid Williams - 17/11/09
The Platinum Centre at the World Travel Market Show was turned into a little corner of the Emerald Isle last week. Members of Ireland’s tourism industry were there en-masses to promote their own product and region to the world’s media.
The event, appropriately entitled “Ireland Means Business”, showed exactly that - promoters, hoteliers, restaurateurs and regional representatives were all here in a bid fly the flag for the Irish tourism industry.
But like all Irish events, there was also a great party atmosphere. It was a bit early for the Guinness and Whiskey being paraded around by waiters, but with miniature interactive golf, head and body massages, Irish food, music and dance it certainly reminded me of home.
Lawrence Bate of Tourism Ireland described the event as a massive opportunity for Ireland to capitalise on the attractions that the world associates with our fair isle.
“There are a lot of people here to have a good time. It’s one of the biggest events in our calendar and a great opportunity to market the whole of the island of Ireland to an international trade audience and media audience.
“We’ve got tour operators from across the world and it’s an opportunity to showcase what is going on right now and into the future.
“We tried to make it as engaging and fun as possible so people have a chance to play golf, have a massage, some quality food and drink and listen to some music and see some dancing.”
Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, was chief speaker on the afternoon with Irish comedian Patrick Kielty working the floor and providing an entertaining MC service for the event!
Kielty’s comedy of anecdotes about his home country went down well but perhaps the most memorable aspect to the day was the performance given by a troupe of Riverdancers.
A promotional DVD explaining the delights of the various regions was also on show. Here, natives of Ireland had their own opportunity to tell the world why they think their part of the country deserves a visit.
Paul Hill, from County Clare, for example, showed off his county through a pub music session at Doolin, followed by walks on the Burren and Lahinch strand.
“It’s a fun and interesting experience for everyone who comes down here,” explained Lawrence Bate. “It’s a selection of videos from across the island but we’ve got real people talking about what their home town and region has to offer, whether its Connemara, Kilkenny or Belfast.
“It’s about really using the warmth of the people, and not actors, to try and get that selling message across to consumers. It’s available on a DVD which people can order through the website and download and is also available with
provided magazines.
“It’s a chance to hear about Ireland from the people and ultimately, that’s what makes the big difference. They can engage with the people featured and get a sense of what it’s like.”
Questions were fielded by Mr Gibbons on everything from the cost of green fees to the exchange rates, to the importance of the Italian market (up in ten years from 50,000 to 200,000 visitors).
“There’s been a huge growth over the last ten years of the short haul flights through low cost airlines to Shannon, Dublin, Cork and Belfast,” said Mr Bate. “But there are still a lot of people who bring the car across on the ferry and rent a rural cottage – so there really is something for everyone.”
Pictured:
Patrick Kielty and Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland.Related Articles
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