PIC SHOWS: Pictured at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience during the French Marketing Partnership Group’s visit to Ireland’s Ancient East are Sean Connick, AVEA; Gary Farrington, Expedia Group; Jonathan Lament, Syltours; Arnaud Devanlay, Evaneos; Caitriona Butler, Irish Ferries; Ana Luis, Tourism Ireland; Giovanni Ciocari, Aer Lingus; Sophie Triboulet, Air France; Ian Baillie, Stena Line; Julian Patchett, Brittany Ferries; and Christine Blanc, Tourism Ireland.
Members of Tourism Ireland’s French Marketing Partnership Group (MPG) are visiting Ireland’s Ancient East this week. The MPG is made up of leading French tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs), as well as air and sea carriers, and is the official vehicle for Tourism Ireland to consult with its key tourism partners in France.
The visit was an excellent opportunity for Tourism Ireland to showcase Ireland’s Ancient East to the senior travel representatives from France who make up the MPG. Their programme included guided tours of Rosslare Europort, the Irish National Heritage Park, Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower and the Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny, as well as a walking tour of Kilkenny city. The group also visited Green Acres restaurant in Wexford and Butler House, Zuni Restaurant and Langtons Hotel, all in Kilkenny. They stayed at Clayton Whites Hotel and Hotel Kilkenny.
Elmagh Killeen, Tourism Ireland’s Acting Director of Markets, said: “We are delighted that the members of our French Marketing Partnership Group have taken the time to come and visit Ireland’s Ancient East. Seeing is believing – so visits like this are extremely important to continue to build awareness of Ireland and our excellent tourism offering among key French partners.
“France is the fourth-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, we welcomed 557,000 French visitors, who spent €283 million during their time here.”
