Twenty Irish tourism businesses came together at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin , for a networking even

t organised by Tourism Ireland. The event – which was also attended by the Irish Ambassador to China, Paul Kanavagh – explored Ireland’s potential to attract more high net worth travellers from across the globe and how to increase retail travel.

 

 

The demand for luxury travel has been growing in recent years, with wealthy travellers increasingly seeking great, individual experiences. A report published at the end of 2015 by International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in association with Euromonitor predicts an increase in international luxury travel, given growing outbound travel from emerging markets and aspirational middle-class consumers. And, Ireland should be well positioned to take advantage of this trend; according to the annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey by Condé Nast Traveler magazine in 2015, nine of the top 30 resorts in Europe are in Ireland – including places like Trump International Hotel & Golf Links, Ashford Castle, Powerscourt Hotel and Sheen Falls Lodge.

 

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss how Irish tourism businesses can grow their share of the global retail and luxury travel industry. We have a superb luxury tourism offering right around the island of Ireland – from our boutique hotels, castles, 

luxury resorts and spas, to our rich culture and heritage, and not forgetting our world-class golf. Our aim is to attract more high spending travellers and ultimately generate more revenue for our tourism partners and the Irish economy.”