By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Ireland’s tourist board and a host of road show partners wrapped a successful week-long “whistle stop tour” of Eastern Canada at an elegant reception at the Residence of Ireland Toronto Friday after stops in St. John’s, Halifax, Moncton, and Montreal.
The group of 16 trade dozen partners (11 from Ireland) nibbled Irish-inspired bites (and met the chef from Derry), while sipping wine and Guinness and raising a glass to say slainté (cheers) to a country with strong Irish roots and ongoing connections.
“Part of the reason for the interest in Ireland from Canada is so strong certainly traces its roots back to that kind of familial and heritage connection,” observed Irish consul general Claire Fitzgibbon, adding, “The presence of Ireland here in Canada is so strong and visible it has inspired interest in Ireland from Canadians in all walks of life and all backgrounds, and we’re so pleased to see Canadians… become part of our wider Irish family.
“And thank you for keeping the relationship alive and well,” she offered the trade group in conclusion.
Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland’s director for Canada, emphasized the importance of the annual mission to visit travel advisors, noting all the cities visited boast direct air service to Ireland, including recently re-instated WestJet flights from St. John’s, while also pointing out that it was the group’s first visit to Moncton.
“I was reflecting on why we do these weeks, and what do we get out of it,” she continued. “And it struck me: Canada is a big opportunity market… We have been up 35% over the past three years and business is performing really, really well.
“But that doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s takes time, investment and commitment and our partners from Ireland have flown from across the Atlantic and had energy and enthusiasm like I have not seen!
“And it doesn’t happen overnight. We had immediate convergence from travel advisors this week and we did see sales happening at the desk, which is great, but that’s not always the case. We might see results from this business six months, two years down the line, but we know it’s happening, and we have the data to show it.”
And while acknowledging, “it’s an AI world,” Moffatt maintained, “ChatGPT can’t replace the itineraries that you bring to the advisors. ChatGPT can’t provide that human connection that makes us so memorable… And I know that when Canadian advisors send their clients to Ireland, they’re going to have a truly memorable time.”
“AI,” she laughed, “can’t replace the Irish!”
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