Dertour, with a €1.5 billion turnover last year, and market leader for the past 40 years, are currently in Ireland attending their annual travel academy. While the travel academy will be based in Killarney, all 700 travel agents are participating in pre and post academy tours, organised by Fáilte Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland. The tours present a valuable opportunity for the tourism industry to sell itself to the German market and allow Fáilte Ireland to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer throughout the country.
Speaking at a dinner in the Prince of Wales Hotel in Athlone, Kevin Kidney, general manager, Fáilte Ireland in East and Midlands, welcomed the tour operators to the area, and believes trips like these provide a valuable opportunity for Ireland to showcase to the tour operators all that we have to offer.
“They are a wonderful opportunity for the tour operators to come and experience personally the outstanding culture of Ireland, the magnificent scenery, together with the Irish friendliness and Ireland’s uniqueness. These visits play a key role in encouraging their customers to consider Ireland as a holiday destination. Seeing is believing, and it is extremely important for influential tour operators such as these to experience at first-hand what we have to offer – so they can sell more effectively when they return to Germany, helping to attract more visitors here – to enjoy what Athlone and the Midlands have to offer.
“2009 has been a difficult year and we are fighting for every bit of tourism business available, both at home and abroad. It is imperative that there is a strong message in Germany that Ireland offers a high quality experience, excellent accommodation choice and great value for money,” said Mr Kidney.
Germany is now the third most important market to Ireland and the most important mainland European market with 456,000 visitors spending a total of €287.8 million in 2008. Approximately 40,000 people booked a holiday to Ireland in 2008 through Dertour.
