Bloggers who write regularly for some of Spain’s most popular travel websites visited Co Westmeath recently, as guests of Tourism Ireland in Madrid.
As part of its overall marketing strategy, Tourism Ireland is actively using social media to inspire potential holidaymakers to come and visit the island of Ireland. Blogs and social media sites have a huge influence on all types of decisions nowadays, with choices about holidays in particular increasingly influenced by bloggers and online communities. Bloggers are constantly uploading and sharing their experiences and these are widely read by people when researching and planning their holidays.
One of the highlights of the visit for the Spanish bloggers was a a guided tour of Locke’s Distillery Museum in Kilbeggan; they also enjoyed lunch at the museum’s Pantry Restaurant.
Joanne Murphy, Tourism Ireland’s manager in Spain, said, “Visits such as this are very important to help increase awareness among Spaniards of the many things to see and do on a holiday in Ireland and the wonderful hospitality on offer. Social media and blogs allow word of mouth about a holiday destination to reach a really wide audience; Tourism Ireland aims to grow the online conversation about Ireland, getting the bloggers talking about their positive experiences here and engaging their followers and potential holidaymakers with the kind of experience that a holiday in Ireland offers them.”
