Who Owns Tourism Ireland?

By Anna Duncan

Tourism Ireland is an organization that promotes the island of Ireland as a tourist destination. It operates in over 20 markets around the world and has offices in Dublin, London, New York, and Toronto. But who exactly owns Tourism Ireland?

The Ownership of Tourism Ireland

Tourism Ireland is a public-private partnership between the Irish government and the tourism industry on the island of Ireland. The two main stakeholders in Tourism Ireland are:

  • The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: This government department is responsible for policy development and implementation relating to tourism in Ireland. It provides funding to Tourism Ireland and appoints members to its board.
  • The Northern Ireland Executive: This is the devolved government of Northern Ireland. It provides funding to Tourism Ireland for marketing Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

In addition to these two main stakeholders, there are numerous other organizations that are members of Tourism Ireland, including:

  • The Irish Hotels Federation
  • Fáilte Ireland (the national tourism development authority)
  • Tourism Northern Ireland
  • The Restaurants Association of Ireland
  • Ireland’s Ancient East

These organizations provide input into the marketing strategy of Tourism Ireland and help to ensure that it reflects the needs and interests of the wider tourism industry.

The Role of Tourism Ireland

Tourism Ireland’s primary role is to promote the island of Ireland as a tourist destination. This involves developing marketing campaigns Targeting specific markets and audiences, as well as working with travel trade partners to promote package holidays to the island.

Some examples of recent campaigns run by Tourism Ireland include:

Fill Your Heart With IRELAND

This campaign Targeted visitors from North America and aimed to highlight the warm welcome that visitors can expect when they travel to Ireland. It included a series of videos featuring Irish people sharing their stories and experiences.

WILD ATLANTIC WAY

This campaign was designed to promote the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500 km coastal driving route that stretches from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south. It included a series of videos and interactive maps showcasing the stunning scenery and attractions along the route.

Game of Thrones

Tourism Ireland has also worked with HBO to promote Northern Ireland as a filming location for Game of Thrones. This has included creating themed tours and experiences for fans of the show.

In Conclusion

Tourism Ireland is owned by the Irish government and the tourism industry on the island of Ireland. Its primary role is to promote Ireland as a tourist destination, through Targeted marketing campaigns and partnerships with travel trade partners. With its unique mix of stunning landscapes, rich heritage, and warm hospitality, it’s no wonder that Ireland continues to be a popular choice for visitors from around the world.