China’s largest state-run TV broadcaster, Xinhua, is to visit Galway next week to make programmes on tourism here, with a second programme in the pipeline focusing on trade and investment, that is according to Fine Gael Senator for Galway West, Fidelma Healy Eames.
Senator Healy Eames yesterday confirmed that Xinhua is to come to Galway and that the visit has come about as a result of the activity of the China-Ireland relations committee, of which Senator Healy Eames is chairperson.
Commenting on the planned visit, Senator Healy Eames said: “I am delighted that Xinhua has chosen Galway as the location for its programmes about Ireland. Xinhua is the largest state-run news agency in China with a TV audience of around one billion people. They are sending a TV crew of four people to work with our China-Ireland Relations Committee in Galway in the making of two TV programmes; one on tourism from June 10 -12 with a further programme planned on trade and investment at a later date.
“I am hugely excited that Galway and Ireland will be showcased to this massive audience in what is a hugely important tourism and business market for Ireland for the future. This can only be good for Galway and for Ireland. We are building the tourism package around special features in the Oranmore/ Clarinbridge area and Connemara. We have so much to offer. This is a superb opportunity to profile Galway and to showcase some of our best tourism features to an audience of one billion people.
“The second programme on trade and investment will focus more on Galway city and how it has managed to attract a massive amount of foreign investment, especially in the high tech, pharma and life sciences area.”
Senator Healy Eames concluded: “The China-Ireland Relations Committee has no funding base and is non-profit so we are reliant on local providers coming up with accommodation and food for the two day event. There has been a marvellous response, including from Fáilte Ireland, and an exciting itinerary is planned.”
