The Inbound Tourism Operators Association of Ireland (ITOA) held its annual general meeting at Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, where discussions focused on tourism and sustainability initiatives.
In 2024, ITOA members facilitated over 734,000 overseas visitors to Ireland, resulting in total tourism spending of €622.7 million; about 63% of visitors traveled around the country while 37% stayed in Dublin.
Key industry figures at the AGM included Siobhan McManamy from Tourism Ireland, Paul Kelly from Fáilte Ireland, John McGrillien, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, alongside Ruth Andrews, Chairperson of Fáilte Ireland and other key stakeholders.
Members and invited guests visited Kilkenny’s tourism offerings, including Malzards Pub in Stoneyford, Kilkenny and met with local tourism operators, including Cushendale Woollen Mills, Jerpoint Glass Studio, Boat Trips, and Highbank Orchards & Distillery, Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny and Ballykeefe Distillery..
The ITOA committed €3,000 to the Nore River Catchment Trust to support local water quality efforts.
