French-Canadian journalists wowed by the Banner

A GROUP of leading travel and lifestyle journalists from Québec enjoyed a fact-finding trip to Clare last week, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and leading Canadian tour operator Transat Holidays.

Representing a radio station, a TV station and various online and print publications – including Radio-Canada and magazines like Elle Québec and Tourisme Plus – which will reach thousands of potential holidaymakers throughout the province of Québec, the journalists experienced at first-hand some of the many things to see and do in this part of Ireland for travel programmes and feature stories they are researching about holidays here.

With just under five million Canadians claiming Irish ancestral links or affiliations with the island of Ireland, the visit of these journalists was the ideal opportunity to spread the word about the exciting programme of events which is in the pipeline for ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’.

In Québec alone, the census of 2006 showed that over 400,000 in the province identified themselves as being of Irish descent.

The journalists’ itinerary included visits to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna. They stopped off for a spot of lunch at The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna and enjoyed dinner and an overnight stay at Dromoland Castle.

Jayne Shackleford, Tourism Ireland’s manager for Canada, said, “Tourism Ireland is delighted to introduce French Canadians to some of the many wonderful attractions of County Clare and Ireland. The province of Québec is an important market for us in Canada, with over 400,000 francophones claiming ancestral connections with the island of Ireland. Visits such as this are extremely important, helping to spread the word through the media in Québec about the fantastic tourism product showcasing what’s on offer here for French Canadians.

“The visit of these influential journalists was also a valuable opportunity to highlight ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ and the fantastic programme of events planned for next year. Right now, Tourism Ireland is rolling out a major programme of promotions in North America, and elsewhere around the world, to highlight ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’.

“We are extending an invitation to the tens of millions of people across the world who have ancestral links with Ireland to come home next year, as well as to the many others who feel linked by friendship, business or education and to those who simply hold an affection for what Ireland has given to the world. We are also calling on expatriates and those with an affinity for Ireland to get involved and organise their own ‘Gathering’ events in Ireland next year.”