Influential Chinese Business Tourism Group Visits Co Laois
A group of business tourism decision-makers from China visited Co Laois recently, as part of a fact-finding trip. Carefully selected and invited here by Tourism Ireland in Beijing, the group included senior representatives of Chinese companies who organise international conferences, meetings and large-scale incentive events overseas. They are pictured at The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort near Killenard.
The group was here to find out more about the meeting facilities and accommodation on offer in this part of Ireland, as well as the great experiences business delegates can enjoy here on the sidelines of their conference or meeting. Susan Li, Tourism Ireland China, said:“With the Government’s recently announced tourist visa waiver scheme making it easier for tourists from emerging economies to visit Ireland, the time is right to step up promotion in markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific region offers exciting possibilities for tourism to the island of Ireland in the medium- to long-term. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has forecast that the Asia-Pacific region will be one of the fastest-growing regions for outbound travel in the next ten years.
“While we are working hard in the traditional markets of Great Britain and the US, Tourism Ireland is also very active right now in markets like China to raise the profile of the island of Ireland as a premier holiday and business tourism destination. Fact-finding visits like this are an invaluable part of that marketing effort”.
Business Tourism is the most lucrative form of tourism, offering significant economic benefits. The visit of these senior business tourism decision-makers is part of Tourism Ireland’s annual programme of activity to grow business tourism from China and other key markets around the globe; highlighting ease of access, the great facilities and good value rates available for meetings and conferences here and getting the island of Ireland known for excellence in business support.