Ireland: 'The Friendliest
Destination in the World'
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TOURISM IRELAND representatives were in Vancouver in February along with several representatives of suppliers. There were (L-R) Niamh Burns of Killarney Park Hotel; Tanya Johnson of Royal Irish Tours; Katie Carroll of Tourism Ireland; Jayne Shackleford Manager, Tourism Ireland; Clare Rottare of Insight Vacations; Emily Spadafora of Trafalgar Tours; Sandra Hutchin of 32CC /Irish Coaches; Jason Powell of Causeway Coast & Glens.
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By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - Tourism Ireland representatives were in Vancouver on February 19 to launch the new tourism strategy for growth in 2008 and provide an update on the island of Ireland's latest tourism products, services, and events.
Jayne Shackleford the new Marketing Manager Canada, along with several suppliers from Ireland were on hand at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, to answer questions related to tourism in Ireland.
Jayne Shackleford has just recently taken over the position as Marketing Manager Canada from Alison Metcalfe who served in that position for many years, and has just recently transferred to the New York office of Tourism Ireland.
Shackleford addressed the capacity crowd and related that there are about four million Canadians who claim Irish ancestry and that about 25 percent of tourism to Ireland from Canada is from British Columbia.
"The good news for British Columbians is that it is now becoming a lot easier to fly directly to Ireland," said Shackleford. "We have a new flight this year, Fly Globespan Airlines, and they will fly direct from Vancouver to Dublin, starting from May to October. And, of course, the continued flight with Zoom Airlines which is Vancouver to Belfast."
She said, "we are also quite excited that Ireland has been voted the Friendliest Destination in the World for 2008 by Lonely Planet Blue List. That is a publication that lists the must see and top 10 areas in the world to visit."
One of the big year round events in Ireland this year is the Bushmills 400-year anniversary. Bushmills is the world's oldest licensed distillery located in North Antrim beside the famous Giant's Causeway.
Another event taking place in Ireland this year is the annual Galway Arts Festival, from July 14-27. This is now Ireland's largest and most prestigious arts festival, with hundreds of writers, artists, performers, and musicians from Ireland and all over the world. The festival draws in excess of 100,000 to the west of Ireland for the fabulous two week event.
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JAYNE SHACKLEFORD
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One other event of note is the Wexford Opera Festival which takes place from October to November, and it's actually three fantastic festivals. The first festival is the Dublin Theatre Festival and then the Belfast Festival, which has become the largest festival of its kind in Ireland. Meanwhile, the prestigious Wexford Opera Festival has been regarded as one of the premier events in Europe for the past 50 years.
Ireland's culinary scene has undergone a huge change and Jayne Shackleford expanded on that saying, "few people outside of Ireland saw this one coming, yet the entire island has slipped quietly into a new role as a must-visit destination for food-lovers from all over the world."
Just weeks ago, champagne corks were popping in restaurants across the country, when the latest batch of Michelin Stars was awarded. Ireland now has seven Michelin Star restaurants.
The two new additions to the fold are the Mint Restaurant and Bon Appetite in Dublin. And in Northern Ireland, Restaurant Michael Deane maintained its outstanding record and received the illustrious accolade for the 12th year running.
Lots to see and do in the friendliest destination in the world. For more information about events and visiting Ireland, log on to
www.discoverireland.com
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