Targeting Chinese Tourists For Offaly

A group of influential tour operators from China visited Birr last week as part of a fact-finding trip to Ireland. Carefully selected and invited here by Tourism Ireland, the visiting operators were here to experience at first-hand what this part of Ireland has to offer for Chinese holidaymakers. The aim of the trip was to encourage the operators to feature Ireland as a new destination in their programmes or to extend the Irish content of their existing programmes. One of the highlights of their visit to Ireland was a guided tour of Birr Castle.

Susan Li, Tourism Ireland China, said:“Tourism Ireland is delighted to bring these influential tour operators to Birr, so they can experience for themselves the tourism product on offer here for Chinese holidaymakers. The majority of our overseas visitors are from the core markets of Great Britain, Mainland Europe and North America, and while this will continue, it is important that we expand our focus beyond these markets and look to the long-term opportunities presented by emerging tourism markets in Asia like China. Tourism Ireland in China is working hard to raise the profile of the island of Ireland as a premier holiday destination, highlighting the visa waiver scheme introduced by the Government earlier this year, which has made it easier for tourists from emerging tourism markets to visit Ireland.”