Tourism Ireland – together with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, as part of the ‘Meet in Ireland’ team – is showcasing the island of Ireland as a world-class Business Events destination to thousands of buyers who organise international meetings and incentive travel, at IMEX Frankfurt 2024, in Germany this week.
IMEX Frankfurt is one of the leading global exhibitions for Business Events i.e., the corporate meetings, events and incentive travel industry. In all, 35 tourism companies specialising in Business Events from around Ireland are on the ‘Meet in Ireland’ stand at IMEX.
Around 1,900 commercial meetings will be conducted with global meeting and incentive travel planners this week, which will, in turn, deliver Business Events for Ireland from around the world worth millions of euro in 2024 and beyond.
Tourism Ireland’s goal is to enable thousands of commercial Business Events meetings this year – connecting our tourism partners from Ireland with overseas buyers to grow Business Events and support businesses across the island.
Tourism Ireland’s message is that Ireland offers a winning combination of world-class infrastructure, unique and luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art venues, spectacular landscapes and the warmest of welcomes and fantastic hospitality, making it an ideal destination for meetings, incentive travel and events of all sizes.
According to the latest CSO figures for overseas tourism, Ireland welcomed almost 1 million Business Tourists, for the 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024.
Speaking at IMEX Frankfurt, Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said: “IMEX Frankfurt is a key event in the industry calendar and an extremely important platform for us to promote the island of Ireland as a premier destination for Business Events. Business travel is high value and often midweek and off season by its nature, thereby aligning with Tourism Ireland’s strategy to grow overseas tourism revenue outside of the peak summer season.
“We are delighted to have 35 tourism companies from across the island of Ireland with us at this year’s IMEX Frankfurt. They’re engaging in almost 1,900 commercial meetings and showcasing the best of Ireland to influential meeting and incentive travel planners from around the world.”
Fáilte Ireland is also at IMEX, promoting Ireland to the lucrative association conference sector.
Paul Mockler, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Commercial Development, said: “Events like IMEX are a key opportunity to secure valuable overseas meetings, conferences and events booked in for the years ahead. We have top-class Irish industry joining us on the Meet in Ireland stand and they are showcasing the very best of Ireland to influential Business Events buyers. The revenue generated by these international conferences and events is not only a significant contributor to the Irish Business Events industry but has an enormous impact on the wider tourism ecosystem including Ireland’s experiences, attractions and food and beverage businesses.”
Nikki Paterson, Tourism NI’s Business Solutions Manager, said: “Tourism NI is delighted to be attending IMEX Frankfurt together with our incredible industry partners. IMEX is a significant show in the Business Events calendar and offers opportunities for industry to meet and secure business from global meetings, events and incentive buyers. Business Events are an important part of the tourism ecosystem, attracting lucrative, mid-week and shoulder season business whilst also supporting regional balance across the destination.”
