Following a successful sales mission in Eastern Canada, Tourism Ireland and industry partners held a reception at the Residence of Ireland in Toronto on Friday that underscored the importance of connecting in person.
“It’s an AI world, but ChatGPT can’t replace the answers and the itineraries that you bring to the advisors here. ChatGPT can’t provide that human connection that makes us so memorable,” shared Sandra Moffatt, Country Director of Canada for Tourism Ireland. “AI can’t replace the Irish is my headline.”
Reflecting on a busy week that saw the group travel to six cities including Toronto, Moffatt shared that Canada is a big opportunity market for Ireland.
“Canada now ranks among the top five global markets for tourism to Ireland with +35% growth in the past three years. Business is performing really, really well… but that doesn’t come from nowhere, that doesn’t happen overnight,” she noted. “It takes time, it takes investment, it takes commitment. Our partners from Ireland have flown across the Atlantic and had energy and enthusiasm like I have not seen. It’s been incredible. That sense of hospitality and that sense of Irish people is really why people go and why people visit.”
Those in attendance were treated to a meal by Homemade by Ciaran, a private chef from Derry, Ireland who is now based in Toronto, that fused Irish and Canadian favourites.
“Many of you have had the whistle-stop tour of Canada over the course of the week and you have gotten to see just how wonderful this country is, just how amazing and incredible its natural beauty is and just how wonderful the people are,” shared Claire Fitzgibbon, the Consul General of Ireland in Toronto. “I’m so excited to see the inverse of that as well, coming out of today’s event, so that Canadians can get to see the wonderful Irish natural beauty, the wonderful warm welcome they will get there from Irish people and the fantastic hospitality that they can experience.”
Tourism Ireland and its partners show travel professionals how Ireland Goes Beyond
Joined by 18 industry partners from both the island of Ireland and Canada, the Ireland Goes Beyond Sales Mission made stops in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador on April 13; Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 14; Moncton, New Brunswick on April 15 and Montreal, Quebec on April 16.
“Eastern Canada was a very familiar market. I think a lot of people would agree that it was so hospitable. We really got a very warm welcome from our Canadian friends in every city that we were in and we want to return the favour, we want to give that back to every body,” she added. “I’m full of confidence that when Canadian advisors send their clients [to Ireland], they’re going to have an absolutely incredible time.”
The region was strategically selected, leveraging its strong historical and cultural ties to Ireland and celebrating the relaunch of seasonal non-stop flights. WestJet will relaunch the Halifax-Dublin route on April 26, followed by the reestablished St. John’s-Dublin route which will take off for its second year starting May 21. During the mission, Tourism Ireland made its first visit to Moncton where it met with travel professional in the feeder city before concluding in Montreal where Air Canada’s non-stop route commences on May 15, operating 4x weekly.
“Returning to Eastern Canada with this delegation of Irish industry partners demonstrates our commitment in the market and underscores the strong opportunity to tap into the growing demand for travel to the island of Ireland,” Moffatt said. “Our goal is to support advisors in delivering compelling travel opportunities to their clients. Not only will we showcase exciting new products but give each attendee a true taste of that Irish spirit, offering a glimpse into how Ireland goes beyond expectations and invites visitors to forge meaningful and memorable connections.”
Tourism Ireland’s roadshow also capitalized on the destination’s momentum, offering travel advisors more information on the wide array of potential offerings the destination has to offer to drive bookings. A group of 11 Irish delegates showcased Ireland’s culinary experiences, luxury accommodations and transport options, historic landmarks and activities through a series of B2B appointments, giving advisors the opportunity to connect with the partners and product to create standout vacations for their clients. Most importantly, they illustrated the famed Irish hospitality and how locals can help trips go beyond all expectation.
The Ireland Goes Beyond roadshow visited Halifax on the 114th anniversary of the Titanic’s Sinking. Built in Belfast, the resolution of the Titanic story was in Halifax where many of the lost souls were buried. Tourism Ireland was joined by TBL International Limited, the parent company of Titanic Belfast, CEO Judith Owens for the stop to discuss the Canada-Ireland Titanic connection and the increased demand of Canadian tourists.
Tourism Ireland was also joined by six in-market partners, including tour operators Brendan Vacations, CIE Tours, Globus Family of Brands, GoWay Travel, Royal Irish Tours and WestJet.
Together, these partners showcase direct non-stop air access into Ireland from gateways across Canada and provide travel advisors with a range of specialized options to help design, plan and book trips for all types of clients, from escorted tours or fly-and-drive vacations, to solo travel and slow tourism itineraries.
The 11 island of Ireland industry partners in attendance included AC Tours Ireland Ltd.; Cronin’s Coaches; Guinness Storehouse; Hastings Hotels; Ireland’s Blue Book; Irish National Stud and Gardens; Kylemore Abbey & Garden; O’Donoghue Ring Collection; Titanic Belfast; Vintage Tea Trips; and Visit Armagh.
Go to www.tourismireland.com for more.
