Visitor numbers from North America started to decline in June 2008 and there has been little respite since, as the North American consumer curtailed expenditure on almost all but essential items.

All product areas were hard hit for Ireland, particularly the escorted tour market.

But as the global travel decline started in the US, there was a certain inevitability that recovery would also begin there. There has been much talk of green shoots appearing and ITIC spoke with Brian Stack, President of CIE Tours International, to see if this was true.

Click on the image below to hear what he had to say.

February 26th 2010

The Town & Country Homes Association and Irish Farmhouse Holidays have come together to form a new joint body which will represent the majority of the B&B properties in the State.

The new organisation will bring together over 1,100 members under one umbrella, representing the town, farm and country elements of the B&B product. Operating under the strong brand of B&B Ireland – Be at the heart of it all, the new organisation plans to build on the well established reputation of the sector for providing a family setting and a warm welcome for visitors to Ireland.

B&B accommodation is very popular with overseas visitors to Ireland, particularly Americans and Europeans, 40% of whom stay at least one night in B&Bs. International trade accounts for 80% of B&B bednights and domestic trade for the remaining 20%.

The unique character of the Irish B&B is well established, with an experience built on the “traditional Irish welcome” but encompassing much broader elements including a genuine Irish home environment, local knowledge and interest, value for money, a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, personal touches, and often local, home cooked food.

B&B Ireland has recently appointed a new Chair, Margaret Cahill, who recently retired from Tourism Ireland. Margaret will bring a wealth of international marketing experience which augers well for an exciting future for this vitally important sector of Irish tourism.

Margaret Cahill – Chairperson, B&B Ireland

February 3rd 2010