Italian travel agents find Offaly ‘eccellente’!

Representatives from one of Italy’s biggest tour operators, Francorosso, together with 15 of its top-producing travel agents, are visiting Ireland this week. They are here as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

Italian travel agents during their fact-finding visit of Ireland.

The group is on a fact-finding visit, to experience at first-hand what Ireland has to offer Italian holidaymakers. The aim of their visit is to educate and enthuse them about Ireland – so they are better equipped to sell the destination to their clients when they return home.

One of the highlights of the group’s visit was a tour of the monastic site of Clonmacnoise.

Niamh Kinsella, Tourism Ireland’s Manager in Italy, said: “Fact-finding visits like this are very important, as the travel agents get to experience at first-hand the wealth of things to see and do here for Italian holidaymakers. Our aim is to enthuse them about the destination and ensure that when they return home, they are better equipped to advise their clients about Ireland, when planning and booking their holidays.

“Italy is a key market for tourism to the island of Ireland and we have seen excellent growth in Italian visitor numbers so far again this year, with the latest CSO figures indicating growth of +6% for the December 2015 to February 2016 period. Tourism Ireland is determined to ensure that growth continues and we are rolling out a busy programme of promotions in Italy this year.”