Preparations for promoting Ireland’s outdoors adventure appeal to the world’s top experts in this sector were discussed as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, met with local adventure and activity providers in Killarney at an event to ready them for the hosting of the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s World Summit in the town during 6th – 9th October 2014.
With just over 30 days to go, more than 50 key industry members attended a specially planned workshop and countdown event, organised by Fáilte Ireland, in the Brehon Hotel, to prepare for welcoming the 650 international delegates due to attend the conference.
The direct economic impact for the Irish economy from hosting the ATTA’s global summit will be almost €1 million, along with the significant marketing, industry education and global networking value it will also provide. You can read more about the summit here and learn more about the ATTA here .
The conference delegates will represent some of the most influential global decision makers (buyers, media, key influencers, etc) from the adventure travel industry and the international meeting in Kerry will be a significant boost for Ireland as it seeks to grow its visitor numbers in this sector of the travel market – particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way.
To maximise impact and to really show Ireland at its best, the overseas delegates are all being offered a ‘Day of Adventure’ free of charge on the opening day of the Summit (Monday 6th October). Already, almost 400 delegates have registered to do so and many more are ultimately expected to take part. There will be 31 different types of ‘adventures’ for delegates to choose from, all showcasing the very best of adventure and outdoor activities to be enjoyed around the Killarney/Kerry region. The full range of activities on offer can be viewed here .
Furthermore, to demonstrate that no opportunity to impress delegates is being missed, there will be a number of group tours to adventure and activity venues around Ireland in the week leading up to the summit to give many attendees a first-hand taste of what’s on offer throughout the country. Details about the itineraries on offer for these short breaks can be seen here .
Speaking to Irish adventure and activity providers today, Minister Donohoe stressed the importance of hosting such a global event in Killarney: “As an industry, we have been working hard to promote Ireland as an outdoor adventure destination, so the decision by the Adventure Travel Trade Association to hold its conference here in Killarney is a real boost. It is also a fantastic opportunity to promote Ireland to travellers all around the world who want an active outdoors break. I would urge everyone in the sector here in Ireland to play their part in ensuring that these influential delegates really do have an experience to remember in October.”
Fáilte Ireland briefed local adventure and activity providers on all the plans now in place for the October summit and provided advice on how to make the most of having these key international players in town. Speakers at today’s briefing included international adventure tourism specialist Monica Price and Irish digital expert Amanda Webb and there was also a live link-up to Shannon Stowell, President of the ATTA, in the USA.
Fáilte Ireland stressed today that the adventure and activity sector was a growing and lucrative tourism segment with much potential for Ireland. Tracey Coughlan from Fáilte Ireland emphasised: “It is an incredible coup for Ireland, and a huge mark of approval from the leaders of the global adventure trade, that our country has been chosen as a setting for the summit and I think that this very much reflects the fact that Ireland – while long recognised for its friendly people, its heritage and its culture – is increasingly also now being recognised as a destination with the assets that can deliver unique adventure experiences and compelling offers to visitors who love the great outdoors.”
