Fifteen global inbound tour operators are visiting Ireland this week as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, participating in a B2B workshop in Kilkenny to connect with around 36 local tourism companies.
The operators, primarily based in London, represent a range of international markets, including the United States, Mainland Europe, Asia, Australasia, and Africa, and are negotiating travel programs for 2025 and beyond.
Their itinerary includes hands-on experiences like scone making and sheep herding at Ballyknocken Cookery School, along with visits to several iconic attractions such as Smithwick’s Experience Kilkenny and the Irish National Stud & Gardens.
Tour operators from England are key partners for Tourism Ireland, typically contributing about 500,000 visitors annually to the island.
Aisling McDermott, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Global Partnerships, shared: “Tourism Ireland is delighted to welcome these leading global inbound tour operators to Ireland’s Ancient East, to see and experience some of our many visitor attractions. Our aim is to inspire them to extend the Ireland content of their existing programmes and itineraries, or to include Ireland for the first time in their programmes.”
