Ireland Welcomes Canadian Trade To Virtual Fairs

Tourism Ireland, along with its sister agencies on the island of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, is welcoming Canadian tour operators to its first ever virtual travel trade fair that is now underway.

Meitheal and Meet the Buyer are annual events which provide a platform for tourism providers from right around the island of Ireland to meet new contacts and to do business with buyers from around the world, including Canada.

The virtual workshops began July 21 and continue until July 31 – with pre-arranged, scheduled appointments between the tourism companies from the island of Ireland and the international buyers.

These events are among the most important in the Irish tourism calendar, allowing tourism providers on the island of Ireland to showcase some of the most compelling and attractive experiences Ireland has to offer, in a bid to influence the travel professionals attending to include the island of Ireland in their vacation programs for 2021.

The industry platform is a key part of the island of Ireland’s recovery plans, facilitating product and program development for our partners.

The virtual Meitheal workshop (taking place over seven days) and Meet The Buyer workshop (over four days) will facilitate over 12,000 scheduled appointments with overseas trade partners.

Trade partners from over 18 countries, including Canada, are represented.

Dana Welch, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Canada, said: “Although Meitheal and Meet the Buyer look different this year, they remain a key opportunity to highlight the many incredible experiences Ireland has to offer, while facilitating connections between Irish suppliers and Canadian tour operators – to ensure the tour operators are able to offer the very best experiences for their clients when it’s time to travel to the island of Ireland again.”

And Welch concluded: “Working with the travel trade remains a key component of our overall program of activity in Canada.”