Doneraile hosts Tourism Ireland board meeting

Joan O'Shaughnessy, chairman of Tourism Ireland (front, second right), along with Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland (front, centre); Shane Clarke, Tourism Ireland's Director of Corporate Services (front, right) and Tourism Ireland board members, after the board meeting in Creagh House, Doneraile. (Picture: Bill Power)

Creagh House in Doneraile was the venue for the October board meeting of Tourism Ireland, which took place on Thursday last, 24 October.

Board members took the opportunity to meet with representatives of the local tourism industry, as well as visiting Doneraile Court.

Items discussed included overseas tourism this year and the extensive promotional programme which Tourism Ireland is undertaking to highlight Cork city and county, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and the island of Ireland around the world in 2019.

Cork city and county, its spectacular scenery, rich heritage and history, world-class visitor attractions and events, feature prominently in Tourism Ireland’s promotions around the world.

In 2018, Tourism Ireland helped generate almost €77.5 million worth of positive publicity for Cork city and county in key markets around the world, through press releases, press visits, e-newsletters and various media events.

Speaking after the board meeting, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We were delighted to be in County Cork for this month’s board meeting and to have the chance to meet with representatives of the local tourism industry and to hear directly how their business is doing. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss the extensive promotional programme which Tourism Ireland is undertaking around the world this year, to promote Cork and the island of Ireland to prospective visitors.”

Latest CSO figures, for January to September 2019, indicate a very mixed picture – with growth of just +2.2% in overseas arrivals.