Month: January 2012

GB on road to recovery?

Following 3 years of massive decline in British visitor numbers, growth returned in 2011. Is this the start of the much hoped for recovery? ITIC spoke with Vanessa Markey, Head of Great Britain for Tourism Ireland. Click on the video below to hear what she had to say. January 31st 2012 Share this:... Read More

The Gathering, among other things!

The Governments brainchild for next year is The Gathering, which it hopes can bring 350,000 visitors to Ireland, generating up to €200 million for the economy in 2013. Read the full interview with Minister Leo Varadkar from the Sunday Business Post. Share this:... Read More

Holiday at home rather than abroad

A plea to Irish people planning holidays this year to Occupy Ireland rather than holiday abroad is being made in an effort to boost the Irish tourism industry. If one in three people were to swap their trip in the sun for one at home it could create 40,000 jobs, said Mike Webster chief executive of […]... Read More

Tourism Ireland Chief interview

Despite recession, bailouts and unemployment, tourism chief is optimistic growth will be feature of industry this year. Its probably fair to say that Niall Gibbons does not have an easy job. As head of Tourism Ireland, Mr Gibbons is tasked with marketing the island of Ireland to potential visitors from overseas. Read the full interview […]... Read More

Will North American visitor numbers grow further in 2012?

Visitor numbers from North America bounced back by a healthy6%+ margin last year.  But most of that growth came in the first 9 months. Have things picked up again, and will the 5.5% growth target for 2012 be achieved? ITIC spoke with Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland’s Chief in New York, to find out.  Click on […]... Read More

State assets recommended for sale

The States 25 per cent stake in Aer Lingus is included in the list of State assets recommended for sale as part of the bailout agreed with the EU-IMF troika. The list has been drawn up by an interdepartmental group which identified assets and commercial State companies that could be sold in addition to the minority […]... Read More

Ethiad Airways increased traffic

Abu Dhabis national carrier Etihad Airways increased passenger traffic on its Dublin route last year by 15 per cent, making it the 10th busiest route in its global network. Etihad said yesterday that it carried 214,733 passengers between Dublin and Abu Dhabi in 2011. This compared with 187,188 in the previous year. Read the full article […]... Read More

Options for the airports

The Minister for Transport is to engage with unions and potential investors before making a final decision on the future of Cork and Shannon airports. Leo Varadkar had initially signalled that a decision would be made early this year, following a recommendation to Cabinet. Read the full article from the Irish Times. Share this:... Read More