Influential travel journalists and 200 travel agents are bound for Killarney next year as the town has been successful in its bid to host the prestigious German DER Touristik Academy.

TRAVEL ACADEMY: Der Touristik a major German tour operator and the largest tour operator from Mainland Europe to the island of Ireland has announced it will host its prestigious annual travel academy in Killarney in April 2022. Pictured are: Nadine Lehmann (Tourism Ireland Manager Germany) Kevin Keogh (Der Touristik) Niall Gibbons (Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland) Dino Steinkamp (Der Touristik) Paul Kelly (Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland) and Louise Finnegan (Tourism Ireland). Photo: Shane O'Neill Coalesce.

Killarney beat off challenges from a number of other top destinations to host the 2022 event. Germany’s largest tour operator, DERTOUR, will host the event in the INEC between April 3 to 6, 2022. The Academy is an educational and incentive event run by one of the largest tour operators in Mainland Europe. 

This is the first overseas event by DER Touristik, Germany, since COVID-19 and is being supported by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Limerick Travel.

The team from DER Touristik are in Killarney today (Tuesday) to meet with Irish tourism providers in both accommodation, activities and attractions to learn more of how they can become part of this event with the German operator in 2022.

While the DERTOUR gathering is taking place in Killarney next year, the 200 attendees will participate in pre-academy tours across Ireland, organised by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with Limerick Travel. The tours present a valuable opportunity for the Irish tourism industry to sell itself to the German market and allows Fáilte Ireland to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer throughout the country.

Paul Keeley, Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Regional Development, believes events like these can provide a valuable opportunity to showcase all that Ireland has to offer to one of Ireland's most important mainland European markets.

“We are delighted to welcome DER Touristik to Killarney today ahead of hosting this important event next April," Mr Keeley said.

"For Irish tourism to recover and grow in the long term it is imperative that there is a strong message that Ireland offers a high-quality experience, diverse tourism experiences and a wide selection of safe accommodation choices. By winning the opportunity to host these influential agents and journalists next April we can continue to drive long term demand for Ireland and ensure that they can confidently encourage their customers to choose Ireland as a holiday destination when they return to Germany."

Kevin Keogh, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing for Der Touristik, added; “As the market leader for tourism from Germany to the island of Ireland for over 50 years, DER Touristik is delighted to bring its 200 top travel agents to Ireland for our 2022 Academy and to encourage them the discover the destination.”

Peter Brazil, Director, Limerick Travel, commented:

“We are delighted to bring Germany’s top tour operator Dertouristik to Killarney for Reise academy 2022! It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our wonderful island to over 200 leading German agents and press. From previous experience academies have dramatically increased German visitors to Ireland in subsequent years.”