Delegation visits Tourism Ireland in New York

WICKLOW County Council representatives visiting New York for St Patrick’s Day took the opportunity to met up with senior executives from Tourism Ireland to discuss Ireland’s extensive promotional programme in the United States for 2018.

The US is the second-largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland. 2017 was the fifth record-breaking year in a row for Irish tourism from the US, with a record 1.83 American visitors. Tourism Ireland recently launched a new strategy to continue to grow tourism from the US, setting out ambitious targets which will see the island welcome two million American visitors per year by 2021. This would represent growth of 23 per cent and would see revenue generated by American holidaymakers increase by 33 per cent, to €1.37 billion per year.

‘We were delighted to meet with the representatives of Wicklow County Council and to have the opportunity to brief them about the extensive promotional programme we are undertaking in the United States this year,’ said Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America. ‘Last year, we welcomed a record 1.83 million North American visitors to the island of Ireland. In 2018, we are confident that our strategy – combined with more airline seats than ever before from the US, as well as the strength and competitiveness of the vacation experience right around the island of Ireland – will deliver further growth.

‘Our aim is to deliver a five per cent increase in visitor numbers and a seven per cent increase in revenue from North America in 2018.’ A car boot sale will take place in Enniskerry, Opposite the gates of Powerscourt on Saturday, April 28.

The sale will be on from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is €10 for cars (no large vans).

This will be a fundraising event for St Patrick’s Church, Powerscourt. Enquiries to Robert on 086 3815151