Meitheal, the main trade event for the Irish tourism industry, gets underway today at the Gleneagle Arena in Killarney in Co Kerry.
Meitheal is Fáilte Ireland's annual flagship trade event, organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, which provides Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
Significant business deals are expected to be signed over the next two days with over 11,000 sales meetings scheduled to take place between 402 Irish tourism providers and 267 international buyers and tour operators from 17 countries.
The countries at the event are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and the US.
Almost 40 new tourism experiences are showcasing their product at the event for the first time, including cultural attractions, heritage sites, craft and design studios, outdoor and water-based activities, hands-on culinary experiences and unique guided tours.
Menus at Meitheal have also been specially curated to highlight the quality and diversity of Irish food produce and suppliers across each of Fáilte Ireland's regional tourism brands.
Before today's event, international buyers travelled throughout Ireland on bespoke itineraries designed by Fáilte Ireland to experience first-hand the depth and quality of the country's tourism offering.
These trips featured experiences across Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, and Dublin.
Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said that Meitheal is where the country's tourism industry comes together to do real business.
"Its power lies in the direct access it gives Irish tourism providers to high value international tour operators, buyers who collectively shape the travel decisions of hundreds of thousands of visitors every year," she said.
"This is where global demand is translated into commercial opportunity. By working closely with industry partners to give these buyers a true sense of what sets Ireland apart, we help secure future business that supports jobs, strengthens communities and drives regional economies," she added.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said that tourism is one of Ireland's most important employers and a cornerstone of balanced regional economic development, with one in ten jobs supported by the sector.
He said that delivering sustainable and evenly spread growth in tourism is a key objective of the national tourism policy, and trade events like Meitheal are central to achieving that ambition.
"Last year, overseas visitors generated €6 billion for the economy, supporting thousands of SMEs and sustaining livelihoods in communities right across the country," Mr Burke said.
"To remain competitive, we must continue showcasing the very best of Ireland to the world, from our cultural heritage to our world‑class hospitality and unique food experiences," he added.
