Muckrossleads Killarneypromo

MUCKROSS Park Hotel is playing a key role in promoting Killarney as a tourist destination abroad, and it couldn’t come at a better time of year.

The hotel attended the Private Luxury Forum, an international trade show for buyers and hoteliers in St Moriz, Switzerland, recently.

Muckross Park Hotel Business Development Manager Josie O’Kelly represented the hotel and Killarney at the show.

“It was an event attended by 150 buyers (tour operator agencies, incentive buyers, etc.) from all over the world, along with suppliers (luxury hotels from across the world),” Josie explained.

“Over the course of the four days, I promoted Killarney as a destination of choice, along with why they should choose Muckross Park Hotel as their luxury venue of choice, to over 60 individual buyers.”

Along with promoting their own destination, Josie told the buyers why they needed to come and experience Kerry.

“We do a number of different shows each year promoting Killarney as a destination and Muckross Park as the venue of choice. I presented images of the stunning Kerry and Killarney landscape, which make Ireland and Killarney such an attractive destination and the ideal base for touring the south west of the county,” Josie said.

“I also went through the international airport routes along with flight access into each airport in detail with each one of the buyers. This information is key as it helps the buyers in making their decision on bringing their international delegates to Ireland.

“At the show, there was a ranking system on who presented their region along with venue the best to the buyers. Fortunately, Muckross Park and Killarney ranked seventh out of 150 suppliers.

“I am confident that Killarney and Kerry will be at the forefront of these buyer’s minds. Following on from the show, I have made great contacts and connections, and I am hoping to secure a contact for a high-end tour group for 2020 and beyond. I am hopeful that this is just the beginning in securing business for Muckross Park and the region.”

Dylan Hotel Director of Sales Elaine O’Halloran; Director of Sales O’Callaghan Hotels Catherine Bodley; Executive Director Luxurious Ireland DMC Tanya Dawson; Industry Liaison Officer Business Partnership Tourism Ireland Geraldine Egan; Group Director Marketing and Operations Original Irish Hotels Roisin Wallace; Business Development Officer Fáilte Ireland Amanda Horan; Business Development Manager Muckross Park Hotel Josie O’Kelly; and Director of Sales and Marketing Ballynahinch Castle Hotel and Estate Carol Hinch.