Co Down workshop an “excellent opportunity” for local tourism providers

(L-R) , Jenny Hanna, from The Green Holiday Cottages in Kilkeel, Carol Glanville, from the Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough, Alva Pearson Downey Chief Executive of ITOA, and George Diamondis, Head of Business Solutions at Tourism NI, pictured at this week’s joint Tourism NI/ITOA workshop at the Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle.

The event, which took place at the Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle, provided more than 100 local industry with the opportuntiy to sell their visitor products and experiences to around 60 individual ITOA members across a series of one-to-one meetings.

The workshop has become a firm fixture in the Northern Ireland tourism calendar, offering local industry and ITOA meembers the chance to network, share knowledge and do business.

ITOA is the representative association of Ireland's premier inbound tour operators. 

Its members package and promote all aspects of Irish tourism product and sell to leisure and business partners through the global travel trade distribution channel. 

In 2024, ITOA members brought 699,000 overseas holiday and business visitors to the island of Ireland. These visitors generated over €640 million for the economy.  

Following this week’s workshop ITOA members were given the opportunity to experience the tourism offering across the region through a series of post event FAM trips.

Such joint workshops are vital as Northern Ireland continues to perform strongly as the third largest performing region on the island of Ireland. Its share of business from ITOA members rose from 9% to 10.3% in 2024. 

This growth reflects the continued commitment from ITOA and its members, as well as the dedication of the region’s tourism industry, to showcasing the region’s high-quality visitor experiences and strengthening its appeal in international markets.  

Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland, said the joint workshop was an “excellent opportunity” for local tourism providers. 

“We have a unique story to tell in Northern Ireland and a fantastic product portfolio which includes world class attractions, experiences, accommodation and food and drink offerings.  

“These workshops provide us with a valuable platform from which to showcase that story. Indeed, as well as presenting the opportunity for business, the workshops also give our industry the chance to receive feedback, knowledge and insights on our visitor product. All of which helps to strengthen tourism growth in Northern Ireland” 

Alva Pearson Downey, Chief Executive of ITOA, said: “Our continued collaboration with Tourism Northern Ireland in delivering these workshops ensures that Northern Ireland tourism businesses have direct access to ITOA members in a focused and productive setting.  

“These workshops help create new opportunities and strengthen long-term partnerships which lead to contracted, revenue-generating business into the future.”