Tourism Ireland is back to in person sales missions this week, the first of its kind since February 2020, kicking off in Toronto on Monday before heading to western Canada, in Alberta and British Columbia. A delegation of 15 tourism enterprises from Ireland and 3 Canadian partners are taking part in the targeted sales mission focusing on the cities of Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Victoria, highlighting the direct gateways from Canada to Ireland. The events will aim to help advisors sell Ireland by targeting key consumer passion points of adventure and experiences, ‘craic’ and culture, history and heritage as well as luxury travel via panel discussions by industry experts across the island of Ireland, with partners also connecting with key travel and lifestyle media and influencers at two additional events while in Toronto and Vancouver.

The sales mission is a key strategy in the recovery efforts post COVID and a valuable opportunity for Tourism Ireland to highlight new and existing offerings on the island of Ireland to the travel trade, ensuring they are enthusiastic and equipped to sell the destination to their clients. With no travel restrictions, and 96% of 2019 air access restored to the island of Ireland from Canada the future of travel for the destination is strong – and the sales blitz provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate what’s new for 2022 for Canadian clients and encourage them to ‘Press the Green Button’ and book their vacation now!

Sandra Moffatt, Manager, Tourism Ireland, Canada, said: “We are very excited to back in action during this important series of events this week after a two year break from being able to connect with the travel trade in person. Canadian holidaymakers are highly valued, and our aim is to continue to rebuild visitor numbers from Canada with our extensive programme of high impact campaigns and promotions. Our sales mission across Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta this week provides an excellent platform to meet with, and educate, agents as well as kickstart our promotional efforts highlighting the many great things to see and do around the island of Ireland, as well as the warm Irish welcome and hospitality the country is so well known for. Ireland is open for business, and we cannot wait to welcome Canadians back to the Emerald Isle. We are looking forward to getting out to meet the travel trade this week and thank them for helping to play such an important role in helping us to drive visitor numbers to Ireland!"