Ireland’s largest tourism trade fair, Meitheal, took place last week in Dublin with a record attendance of 281 overseas operators and 300 Irish companies including 13 from Mayo.
The aim of Meitheal is to provide Irish tourism product providers with the opportunity to meet with overseas tour operators and group organisers, with a view to negotiating business for the future. Over the two days almost 7,300 scheduled appointments took place between 300 Irish trade members and 281 of the top tourism representatives from across the globe.
Minister for Arts, Sports, and Tourism Martin Cullen, commenting on the significant impact that the event will have on the Irish economy, said: “In the current climate, we are all going to have to work harder to continue to bring in overseas business. Part of working harder involves networking smarter. Our trade fair, Meitheal, allows us to do that and I am very pleased by the record numbers attending this year’s event. It is through such activity that we will guarantee the visitors of tomorrow.”
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 250,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year. The organisations from County Mayo which attended the trade fair were Park Inn Mulranny; National Museum of Ireland; Westport Plaza and Castlecourt Hotel Resort; Knockranny House Hotel & Spa; Mill Times Hotel; Hotel Westport; McWilliam Park Hotel; Downhill House Hotel & Eagles Leisure Club; Knock Shrine Pilgrimages; Ashford Castle; Mount Falcon Country House Hotel; Clew Bay Hotel; and Westport Woods Hotel and Spa.
