PIC SHOWS: Tourism companies from Ireland with Susan Bolger (third left) and Natalia del Fresno (seventh left), both Tourism Ireland; Aislinn O’Driscoll, Fáilte Ireland (eight right); and Clodagh Smullen (third right) and Cristina Espejo (right), both Tourism Ireland, on day two of the travel trade roadshow in Madrid.
~ Tourism Ireland leads B2B roadshow with VisitBritain to Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona ~
Ireland was promoted to around 200 tour operators and travel agents in three cities across Spain – at a travel trade roadshow visiting the cities of Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona. The roadshow was organised by Tourism Ireland and VisitBritain.
Fifteen (15) tourism companies from Ireland took part in the roadshow, which involved workshop sessions and networking in each city. It was a great opportunity to meet and do business with the Spanish travel professionals, to encourage them to extend their Ireland offering, or to include Ireland for the first time, in their programmes for 2026 and beyond.
The cities of Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona were selected for the roadshow as they are key gateways, with direct flights to Ireland for Spanish holidaymakers. The roadshow provided a valuable opportunity for Tourism Ireland and its partners to remind the Spanish travel professionals about the many great things to see and do around Ireland and all that is new and exciting.
Susan Bolger, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Spain, said: “We’re delighted that so many of our key Spanish travel trade contacts took the time to come and meet with our partners from Ireland, to learn all about our superb tourism offering. Our aim is to increase awareness of Ireland among these influential Spanish tour operators and travel agents – and to help Ireland and our tourism partners secure a greater share of their business for 2026 and beyond.”
Tourism businesses from Ireland taking part in the B2B trade roadshow in Spain include:
- A Touch of Ireland
- Abbey Group
- Aran Island Ferries
- ATS Travel Ireland
- Corick House Hotel & Spa
- Diageo Brand Homes (Guinness Storehouse, Roe & Co Distillery, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny and Guinness Open Gate Brewery)
- Griffin Group
- Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
- Iveagh Garden Hotel
- Joe O’Reilly Ireland DMC
- Killary Fjord Boat Tours
- Powerscourt Estate
- The Chocolate Manor
- Titanic Belfast
- Tour Partner Group
