When Notre Dame and Navy met at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Visit USA Committee Ireland along with key sponsor Brand USA were delighted to host a media group to share in their many successes from 2012.
Visit USA Committee Ireland was established to promote the USA as a tourist and business destination. It is a voluntary, not for profit organisation that provides a link between its members and the Irish travel trade, travel press and consumers and works closely with the US Foreign & Commercial Service at the US Embassy in Dublin.
In 2012 Visit USA Committee welcomed a new executive committee to maintain and build on its existing work to market the USA as a key destination for Irish visitors to consumers and the Irish travel trade: Beverleigh Fly of Innstant Travel (Chairperson), Ciara Foley, Ciara Corcoran, Patricia Purdue and Clodagh Oxley.
The committee has been working on a number of projects including:
- New-look Website: The new visitusa.ie website was launched in June 2012 with a new look, dynamic and video content and complete social media integration with Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook. The site highlights destinations of 54 States and includes information on all aspects of travel to the USA including attractions, shopping, airport services, visa information and more. “Our objective for the website is to reconnect the consumer and travel trade with a one-stop-shop resource for finding advice and information on the United States as a tourist destination and allow Irish travellers to experience the real America,” said Beverleigh.
- Member Numbers Increase to 58: Visit USA Committee Ireland is focused on attracting members who are like-minded travel professionals with the aim of showcasing their destinations and products in order to bring Irish visitors to the USA. Visit USA Ireland membership has grown over recent years, with the current membership standing at 58. In 2012 Visit USA Ireland welcomed 19 new members following a successful Pow Wow convention in Los Angeles in May 2012.
- Irish Visitors are Top 20 in International Arrivals: According to the US Travel Association, in 2011 overseas arrivals to the USA accounted for 45% of total US international arrivals but accounted for 78% of total international spending in the USA. Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest employers and Irish visitors have even greater reason to travel now with increased air capacity and consistent feedback showing great value for money. Visit USA Ireland is committed to bringing together the best American holiday ideas and want to inspire Irish visitors to experience a taste of America either for the first time or to go back and see why the USA continues to attract Irish travellers.
