Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar has launched what he called ‘a major package of measures encouraging people to holiday at home’.
The Minister said that following the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and US President Barack Obama he was ‘urging everyone who lives in Ireland to follow in their footsteps and rediscover their country.
'Tourism is key to our economic recovery.’
The Minister was speaking at Heuston Station in Dublin as he launched a travel incentive package with Iarnród Éireann.
It includes half-price tickets at weekends, family deals with day trips on the railways, a new Discover Ireland smart phone app, and a revamped Failte Ireland website.
Mr Varadkar said the domestic tourism market is worth €1.3bn to the country.
Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring said ‘there has never been a better time to holiday in Ireland’ and research shows 33% more Irish people are expected to holiday at home this year.
