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Kerry Tourism businesses target Canadian market
CANADA CALLING: Pictured at the workshop are Stephen Bell, Solis Lough Eske Castle, Donegal, Marlene Burke, Fáilte Ireland and Michael Tangney, Killarney Jaunting Cars, Tangney Tours.
Several Killarney and Kerry-based tourist service providers attended a special Fáilte Ireland-hosted workshop targeting Canadian tour operators and visitors.
The workshop took place at The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, Co. Meath last week.
Up to 810 one-to-one meetings between 55 Irish traders including representatives from Atlantic Irish Seaweed, Killarney Jaunting Cars, Tangney Tours, the Lake Hotel, Manor West Hotel Spa, Parknasilla Hotel, Rose Travel, Sneem Hotel, The Gleneagle Group and the Tourism Irish Tourism Group and 18 Canadian tour operators took place over the course of the day with the goal of securing business for 2020 and beyond.
“This sales drive seeks to capitalise on increased air access into Ireland from Canada and to develop opportunities for long haul destinations to include Ireland as a holiday experience.
In 2018, over 220,000 Canadian tourists visited Ireland spending an estimated €206m so the Canadian market is important for Ireland,” Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development with Fáilte Ireland, said.
“We are also focussing on using Canadian’s tendency to travel south between December to March on account of their harsh winters to extend Ireland’s traditional tourism season by showcasing the breath of experiences available in Ireland outside of the summer months.”