Some of Ireland’s top travel providers are heading to Abu Dhabi and Dubai this month aiming to promote the top reasons why GCC residents should take a trip to the island.

The Tourism Ireland travel, trade and media events will welcome 10 companies from Ireland, with a range of expertise.

The Abu Dhabi event takes place on September 24 at the Dusit Thani and is kindly sponsored by Etihad. On September 25, our Dubai event will be held at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and is kindly sponsored by Emirates. Both airlines each offer 14 flights a week between the UAE and Ireland.

It’s been a record breaking 18 months for the island of Ireland, according to the country’s Central Statistics Office. In 2016, the combined Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland welcomed the most visitors ever – 10.3 million. Building on that, the island of Ireland notched its strongest every first half (January to June 2017) – up 4.2 per cent on 2016 with 4.5 million visitors – with visitors from GCC countries helping towards that record number.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism is a key part of the island of Ireland’s economy and with growing visitor numbers every year, including from the GCC, we’re glad that we can share the places that we love with our friends from around the world. We wouldn’t be able to do it without the brilliant travel and tour operators and well organised attractions, and our September event is a great opportunity to speak to some of the people who really make Ireland’s tourist industry such a success story.”

Tourism Ireland would be delighted to welcome media and organise interviews with Niall Gibbons or any of the companies mentioned below at our September Sales Mission on September 24 (Boardroom at Dusit Thani, Abu Dhabi) and September 25 (Atelier Room at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai). - TradeArabia News Service