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14/11/2019
NI Showcased To Global Tour Operators
Northern Ireland took centre stage this week as over 30 global tour operators visited Belfast for an industry workshop.
The holiday providers, based in the Republic of Ireland, attended the Incoming Tour Operators Association's (ITOA) annual industry workshop and dinner hosted by Tourism NI, with over 100 local representatives in attendance.
The networking event offers local industry the opportunity to market their product and experiences directly to Republic of Ireland tour operators who can then package and promote their business to over 4,000 global travel trade partners and customers.
This is the second consecutive year the ITOA has chosen Belfast as the location for its flagship networking platform. In 2018, over 743,500 overseas holiday and business visitors were facilitated through the workshop, with an associated spend of €595 million.
Tourism NI's Director of Marketing Naomi Waite said the event is an opportunity to show tour operators what Northern Ireland has to offer first hand.
"Our overall ambition is to grow tourism to a £2 billion industry by 2030 and this will be achieved by increasing the number of international visitors choosing to come here," Ms Waite commented.
"This event is an excellent opportunity for local industry to build connections and promote individual products and services through the workshop and networking opportunities. With the launch of our new destination brand, 'Northern Ireland – Embrace a Giant Spirit', our experience providers have the opportunity to sell Northern Ireland with confidence and personal passion in the global marketplace."
Darren Byrne, President of ITOA said: "ITOA members are delighted to be back in Belfast with our workshop again this year. These events are our signature sales and industry networking opportunities that enable our members to contract and learn more about the destination. The workshop has been sold out for some time now which truly shows that the NI industry have embraced the giant spirit that they offer in their tourism product.
"We look forward to continuing to increase our engagement and product offering in NI and the new brand is without doubt another great opportunity to sell Northern Ireland through our members extensive network and partners globally," he added.
(JG/CM)
The holiday providers, based in the Republic of Ireland, attended the Incoming Tour Operators Association's (ITOA) annual industry workshop and dinner hosted by Tourism NI, with over 100 local representatives in attendance.
The networking event offers local industry the opportunity to market their product and experiences directly to Republic of Ireland tour operators who can then package and promote their business to over 4,000 global travel trade partners and customers.
This is the second consecutive year the ITOA has chosen Belfast as the location for its flagship networking platform. In 2018, over 743,500 overseas holiday and business visitors were facilitated through the workshop, with an associated spend of €595 million.
Tourism NI's Director of Marketing Naomi Waite said the event is an opportunity to show tour operators what Northern Ireland has to offer first hand.
"Our overall ambition is to grow tourism to a £2 billion industry by 2030 and this will be achieved by increasing the number of international visitors choosing to come here," Ms Waite commented.
"This event is an excellent opportunity for local industry to build connections and promote individual products and services through the workshop and networking opportunities. With the launch of our new destination brand, 'Northern Ireland – Embrace a Giant Spirit', our experience providers have the opportunity to sell Northern Ireland with confidence and personal passion in the global marketplace."
Darren Byrne, President of ITOA said: "ITOA members are delighted to be back in Belfast with our workshop again this year. These events are our signature sales and industry networking opportunities that enable our members to contract and learn more about the destination. The workshop has been sold out for some time now which truly shows that the NI industry have embraced the giant spirit that they offer in their tourism product.
"We look forward to continuing to increase our engagement and product offering in NI and the new brand is without doubt another great opportunity to sell Northern Ireland through our members extensive network and partners globally," he added.
(JG/CM)
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