Tourism trade targets Canadian visitors in new drive
The tourism trade is aiming for a potential boom, by targeting Canadian visitors.
Tourism Ireland claims Canadians who come to Ireland spend more, stay longer, and travel to more regions than the average visitor.
It wants to boost passenger numbers from Canada by 47% over the next two years, a target it says would bring in an extra €134m by the end of 2016.
Visitor numbers from Canada have already grown by 28% or so between 2011 and 2013, with about 125,000 Canadians visiting in 2013, spending €91m.
Tourism Ireland CEO Niall Gibbons said the profile of Canadian visitors makes them a particularly lucrative target.
"Canada has performed well for tourism to the island of Ireland in recent years and the future is undoubtedly bright," he said.
"However, we can’t take this performance for granted; we need to adapt and respond to new opportunities to ensure that success continues."
