Tourism Ireland views India as a major market amongst the emerging ones and is looking to increase the total number of visitors from India to 40,000-50,000 in a period of five years. Jim Paul, Head of Australia & Developing Markets, Tourism Ireland, said, “We are expecting a double-digit growth in Indian visitor arrivals every year. We are making progress in the Indian market. However, we want to strengthen our presence in the Indian market and this is only possible by regular engagement with the Indian travel trade and media.”
Tourism Ireland recently organised India Sales Mission 2013 in Mumbai and Delhi. A delegation of 17 people from 13 tourism companies comprising hotels, tour operators and district council met over 100 tour operators in the two cities. “India Sales Mission 2013 witnessed the highest number of Irish suppliers till date. There is a growing interest from the India market and a number of agents are selling Ireland. This year we are promoting new products that will appeal to every age group,” Paul informed.
The Irish suppliers who came for the India Sales Mission 2013 included Belfast City Council; Carton House, Hotel & Golf Resort; Central Hotel; Limerick Travel; Railtours; Ramada Portrush Hotel; Stena Line; The Doyle Collection; The Gibson Hotel; The Merchant Hotel; The Shelbourne Hotel Dublin and Titanic Belfast.
The Global India Business Meeting 2013 will be held on 23- 24 June, 2013 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and co-hosted by the Northern Irish government and the City of Belfast. “Belfast was chosen to host an event of such magnitude. India is a new market for us and will be our focus for the next three years. We will be looking at tapping various tourism segments and will also showcase the culture and heritage that we have to offer,” Shirley McCay, Head of Economic Initiatives and International Relations, Belfast City Council said.
Ireland’s newest attraction- The Titanic Belfast has alone received over 2,000 Indian tourists in 2012, informed Tim Husbands, Chief Executive, Titanic Belfast.
Travel agents are Ireland’s main focus in India. “The sole objective of the mission is to educate the top travel agents and tour operators about the many things to see and do on a holiday or business trip to Ireland and to encourage them to include the destination in their future travel programmes and brochure. We are looking at joint promotions, FAM trips and road shows. We are looking to do a lot of in-house office trainings very soon,” said Paul.
With offices in Mumbai and Delhi, Tourism Ireland’s programme of promotions in India involves co-operative activity with influential intermediaries such as airlines and tour operators. “Latest estimates by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) suggest that India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020 and we believe this market could play a significant part in helping us grow tourism from overseas in 2013 and beyond,” opined Paul.
