Some of the United States’ top travel writers journeyed to the prestigious Travel Classics International Writers’ conference in Ashford Castle last week.
The event, which is regarded by many as one of the world’s foremost networking event for travel writers and editors, saw celebrated editors and writers from publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveller, Travel + Leisure and AFAR magazines, which collectively reach hundreds of thousands of readers across North America and an even wider number globally.
As well as the conference, the writers and editors were invited on a fact-finding trip as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, enjoying various parts of the county including the expanse of Connemara so they could see first-hand some of the many great things Ireland, specifically Galway, has to offer to holiday goers, something they will hopefully go on to share with their readers and followers.
The United States remains one of the highest markets for tourism to the island of Ireland, with a reported 1.7 million American visitors bringing €1.6 billion to the Irish economy in 2019.
Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said, “We were delighted these influential writers and editors were able to stay on after the Travel Classics International conference to visit Co Galway – helping us to spread the good news about this part of Ireland through the media in the US. With some of the most influential and prominent American travel and lifestyle editors and writers participating in this trip, it will bring huge exposure about what Ireland have to offer American holidaymakers, through the media in this important tourism market. It is a fantastic opportunity to show these travel writers and editors at first-hand what makes Ireland such a unique destination.”
