Ireland’s lucky charm

Ireland’s lucky charm
By admin


Tourism Ireland is encouraging Australians to take their business events abroad, insisting that the sluggish economy has positioned the country as an “attractive” value proposition for groups and incentives.

While arrivals from Europe and the UK have flat lined in recent months, Ireland saw a 28% spike in Australian visitors for the final quarter of 2012. The figures represent a 10% increase on the previous year.

Describing the figures as an “encouraging” sign that Ireland is rising above its economic woes, Australian Ambassador of Ireland Noel White said a spike in business events was driving the trend.

“We are battling against reputations in Ireland at the moment, but economically, we are winning,” he told guests at an industry event last week. “The reality is that Ireland is good value for money at the moment.”

With Ireland’s economy likely to remain stagnant in the coming months, White said the value of group travel would continue to draw business events, and remained confident visitor numbers would jump a further five percent this year.

“There couldn’t be a better time to visit Ireland,” he said. “The market is open for events and sport and we like to do business.”

Ireland has a packed events calendar this year with The Gathering 2013, G8 Summit and World Police and Fire Games all lined up in the coming months.

Etihad has also ramped up capacity on services to Dublin, with the three times weekly service from Brisbane now departing daily.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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