Meitheal Celebrates 50 Years of Promotions
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Irish tourism bodies hosting trade events, and the landmark is celebrated at Meitheal, held at the Gleneagle INEC in Killarney.
Meitheal is Fáilte Ireland’s annual flagship trade event, organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, to provide Irish tourism businesses with the opportunity to sell directly to top international buyers and tour operators.
Significant business deals are expected to be signed over the two days as over 10,000 sales meetings are scheduled to take place between 389 Irish tourism providers and 255 international buyers and tour operators from 15 countries. The countries represented are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, and the USA.
Speaking about the importance of events such as Meitheal, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said:
“Tourism trade events like Meitheal play a crucial role in the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry. Over the last 50 years, they have been essential for building relationships, promoting our unique destinations, and keeping Ireland competitive.”
Director of Demand Development at Fáilte Ireland Niall Tracey said:
“With the significant investment in the tourism product in recent years, there are many new or improved attractions and experiences on offer all around Ireland that buyers will be learning about.”
Looking back at 50 years of promoting the island of Ireland overseas, Tourism Ireland has produced a video which features promotional footage and advertisements from Tourism Ireland archives, Bord Fáilte archives, preserved by the IFI Irish Film Archive, as well as Northern Ireland Screen’s digital film archive, courtesy of?Tourism NI and National Museums NI, and Titanic Belfast.
Prior to Meitheal, international buyers have been experiencing first-hand the tourism product of Ireland.
Posted: