Americans seek out Clare hot spots

Representatives of some of the top American business tourism companies, as well as journalists from two leading American business publications, are on a fact-finding visit to Clare and Ireland this week, as guests of Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Irish destination management company, Irish Horizons.

The group’s itinerary includes a tour of the facilities at Dromoland Castle; and visits to the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

The group includes two specialist journalists writing for the business tourism sector in the United States – for the publications Global Traveler magazine and Hotel Management – as well as senior representatives of companies involved in the MICE (meetings, incentive, conferences and events) industry, who organise international conferences, meetings and large-scale incentive events around the world. They are here to discover more about the meeting facilities and accommodation on offer in this part of Ireland, as well as the great experiences business delegates can enjoy here on the sidelines of their conference or meeting.

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s head of North America, said,“We are delighted that these key business tourism decision-makers have taken the time to visit Clare and Ireland, to experience for themselves some of the superb facilities on offer here. Seeing is believing – so fact-finding visits like this are extremely important to help build awareness of the destination and our world-class business tourism offering among key influencers in the US.

“Business tourism is an important, high yield sector and Tourism Ireland has a busy programme of promotional activity under way throughout 2014, to grow this type of tourism. Our promotions are highlighting the ease of access to Ireland, as well as the good value rates available for meetings and conferences and getting the island of Ireland known for excellence in business support.”