Twelve Spanish travel agents are exploring Galway and Ireland this week as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
The group’s action-packed itinerary includes a visit to Kylemore Abbey, a Galway food walking tour and an overnight stay in the Connacht Hotel.
The travel agents work with Special Tours, one of the largest traditional tour operators in Spain.
The aim of the visit is to familiarise the travel professionals with Ireland, so that when they return home, they will be better informed and more enthusiastic when advising their clients about planning and booking holidays here.
Susan Bolger, Tourism Ireland’s manager for the Spanish market, said they are delighted to invite this group of Spanish travel agents to explore Galway and Ireland this week.
“There really is no substitute for being able to come here and experience what Ireland has to offer at first-hand,” she said.
“Our aim is that when they return home, the travel agents will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Ireland in 2023 and beyond.
“Spain is an important market for tourism to Ireland and fact-finding visits like this are a key element of the work that Tourism Ireland undertakes with the important travel trade in Spain.”
Spain is the fifth-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland. In 2019, Ireland welcomed 431,000 Spanish visitors.
Revenue generated by Spanish visitors that year was €218 million.
