French Travel Buyers Size Up NI's Corporate Tourism Benefits

Six French business travel buyers – all specialists in organising international meetings and incentive travel programmes – have been exploring Northern Ireland, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Tourism NI and destination management company Horizons by TPG.  

The visit was designed to give the influential buyers a taste of what Northern Ireland has to offer as a destination for meetings and incentive travel, inspiring them to recommend Northern Ireland to their clients and ultimately to grow Business Events from France. Business Events – i.e., the corporate meetings, events and incentive travel industry – is recognised as a key driver of economic growth. 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.

The buyers’ busy itinerary included Belfast and a walking food tour, McConnell’s Distillery and Titanic Belfast. They travelled along the Causeway Coastal Route, visiting the Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle. They also visited Glenshane Country Farm near Maghera, before making their way to Ballywalter Park and Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen. 

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland’s Head of Business Events and Luxury, said:“Tourism Ireland was delighted to invite these influential French business travel buyers to Northern Ireland. Their visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland as a premier destination for Business Events, with its winning combination of world-class infrastructure, unique and luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art venues and spectacular landscapes. Business travel is high value and often midweek and off season by its nature, thereby aligning with Tourism Ireland’s ambition to grow overseas tourism revenue outside of the peak summer season and support business across the island.”

‘Meet in Ireland’ is the official MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) brand for the island of Ireland, comprising Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, who work in partnership to promote the island of Ireland as a leading business events destination.