Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

with Martha Chapman
17MAR09

Susie McCullough of the Belfast VCB with partners Stephen Markham of Tourism Ireland’s YYZ office and Michelle Maguire of the Irish Country Houses & Restaurants Association

Tourism Ireland’s Jayne Shackleford with Don Wilmot of the Causeway Coast and Deirdre McGlone of Harvey’s Point Country Hotel

A touch of green at the lovely King Edward Hotel

Celebrating The Emerald Isle

Even the swank King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto was bathed in swathes of green light recently as 150 travel agents joined “Team Ireland” for an update on the Emerald Isle. And judging by the volume of noise and music at the ensuing cocktail reception, a good time was had by all!

Jayne Shackleford of Tourism Ireland’s Toronto office thanked and congratulated the agents for their contribution last year: “Canada was the shining star, with visitor traffic up 11 per cent – that’s 115,000 Canadian visitors.” We’re also loved because of our duration of stay (10 or 11 nights, way more than Europeans) and the fact that we use more paid accommodation.

Jayne showed us the country’s new ad campaign with the theme “Go Where Ireland Takes You”, tempting travellers to get off the beaten path to “get lost” (in the nicest possible way!). “There’s no need for a GPS in Ireland – we want them to get lost, and they won’t complain, I promise you!” Spontaneity, hospitality, and the unexpected are all highlighted in the new TV and webisodes (online mini-movies) campaign.

Michelle Maguire told the audience about the idyllic Blue Book collection, featuring 40 of the country’s most charming and historic properties. There are castles, manor houses, even a converted convent!

Since there’s just as much craic (Irish for good fun – pronounced “crack”) in Northern Ireland as in the Republic, Susie McCullough was thrilled to announce that Frommers has called Belfast the Must See City for 2009.

And for those of you who’re aware that all that Irish greenery is due to a reliable supply of rain, Deirdre McGlone of the stunning lakeside Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal shared a fresh viewpoint: “Even if it’s pouring rain, in Ireland it’s moody and mystical.”

And a great excuse to curl up in front of the fire in one of Ireland’s fine hotels!