Cavan County Council visits Tourism Ireland in New York

Representatives of Cavan County Council, who are in New York for the St Patrick’s Day period, met with senior executives from Tourism Ireland today.

Cathaoirleach Madeleine Argue and Council CEO Tommy Ryan met with Billy Condon and Paul McDonagh of Tourism Ireland for a briefing on their extensive promotional programme in the US for 2019.

Tourism Ireland has prioritised North America, as a market which offers a strong return on investment, in terms of holiday visitors and expenditure. In 2019, Tourism Ireland aims to surpass the record-breaking performance of 2018 and to grow revenue from North American visitors by +8% i.e. €1.99 billion generated by 2.17 million visitors (+6%).

‘Culturally curious’ and ‘social energiser’ audiences are being targeted with distinctive vacation experiences, events and special offers tailored to their interests. Promotions aim to grow travel to the regions of Ireland, during the shoulder and off-peak seasons.

“We were delighted to meet with the representatives of Cavan County Council and to have the opportunity to brief them about the extensive promotional programme we are undertaking in the United States this year,” said Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America and Australia. “In 2018, we welcomed a record two million North American visitors to the island of Ireland. Looking to the year ahead, we are confident that our strategy – combined with more airline seats than ever before from the US, as well as the strength and competitiveness of the vacation experience right around the island of Ireland – will deliver further growth.

“St Patrick’s Day traditionally marks the real start of the tourism season for us; our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of people everywhereand to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage. We are using every opportunity to capitalise on Ireland’s heightened profile this week; the saturation coverage about Ireland at this time of year – across the airwaves, in newspapers and digital media – is an invaluable boost for our overall tourism marketing drive in 2019.”