Workshop aims to create Celtic Connections

The B2B workshop and networking event with key travel professionals.

In all, 25 tourism businesses from Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland – including hotels, visitor attractions, ferry companies, activity providers and regional tourism organisations – had the opportunity to meet with influential Scottish tour operators and travel agents, as well local travel and lifestyle journalists at the evvent.

The annual event provides a valuable platform of the participating Irish companies to network and win business for the year ahead.

Vanessa Markey, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain, said: “I am delighted that so many of our tourism partners from Northern Ireland have joined us in Glasgow this week, highlighting our tourism offering to influential Scottish tour operators and travel agents.

“Great Britain is our largest tourism market and we were delighted to see visitor numbers increase by +12% for January to November 2015, an extra 360,000 British visitors compared with the same period in 2014. We are determined to ensure that tourism growth continues.”

Tourism Ireland’s workshop and networking event was timed to coincide with Celtic Connections, Scotland’s premier winter music festival, so it was also a good opportunity to highlight our music and culture, important components of the holiday experience in Northern Ireland, particularly for our ‘culturally curious’ audience.

Vanessa Markey continued: “Music and culture are key components of the holiday experience in Northern Ireland, so platforms like Celtic Connections help us to spread the word about Northern Ireland as a premier destination with an appealing cultural offering.

“Our message is that there has never been a better time for Scottish holidaymakers to come and see that for themselves.”