Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism Team Targeting €61.5m and 8% Growth in 2015
Fáilte Ireland today announced that four international conferences, totalling over 1,400 delegates and worth almost €2m to the Irish economy, had been won for Dublin through its Conference Ambassador scheme. The National Tourism Development Authority added that it would also soon be in a position to announce a further four conference wins, totalling over 2,000 international delegates and worth an additional €3m.
The conference wins announced today are:
- CERME (Conference of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education) which will hold its tenth Congress of European Research in Mathematics Education (CERME 10) in Dublin in February 2017;
- International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium Symposium which has been confirmed to meet at in Malahide in June, 2016;
- The IATA Aviation Security conference is now confirmed for October 2015, being held in The Convention Centre, Dublin;
- General Meeting of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) will take place in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin in June 2015.
All these events were won with the assistance of Fáilte Ireland’s Conference Ambassador scheme whereby support and assistance is given to Irish members if international groupings to bring their association’s conference to this country.
Welcoming the wins, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today said:
“This is great news for Dublin and I am delighted, but not surprised, to see that the city still competes at the highest levels to win prestigious international gatherings. I understand that Fáilte Ireland plan to target more such wins for the city and around the country and look forward to many more announcements”.
Addressing the importance of such conference wins, Mr Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland explained:
“The conference delegate is a very important – and lucrative – piece of the tourism jigsaw. The average business traveller tends to spend two or three times as much as a leisure tourist. This is incredibly important for many of those hotels and venues who cater for such events and generates much needed jobs as well as revenue in the sector. Furthermore, business events can be a great way to win new converts as many conference-goers come to Ireland for the first time ever for work reasons and return again for a holiday”.
Today’s announcement comes as Fáilte Ireland’s plans for the business tourism sector were unveiled today at a top level briefing for key players in the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events), which took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin. Over 250 members from across Ireland’s business tourism sector were in attendance, representing Conference Venues, Hotels, Professional Conference Organisers, Destination Management Companies, University Conference Offices and Regional Convention Bureaux.
At the event, Fáilte Irelands Business Tourism Team announced a revenue target in 2015 of €61.5m (representing an 8% growth on last year) which it will achieve through generating and converting international corporate, incentive and association conference business for Ireland. It will also provide a further financial and practical support to international conferences that are already secured for Ireland this year under its “Meet in Ireland” brand.
Attendees today also heard that the generation of leads with the potential to secure conference business that delivers a higher number of delegates per conference, and therefore greater economic value, is the central focus for Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism Unit this year, as well as greater dispersion of conferences regionally.
Speaking at the event, Mr Quinn emphasised:
“International conferencing will also continue to be a priority for us this year. The conference sector is a competitive business but, happily, Ireland continues to punch well above its weight. To date we have recorded 117 conferences taking place in Ireland this year – worth a combined value of €57 million to the Irish economy. Next year and beyond is also looking positive, with 70 conferences already secured, along with a potential €84 million in revenue for the Irish economy. We will be keeping our foot on the pedal and identifying, pursuing and converting as many leads and opportunities as we can”.
Mr Quinn added that a further 218 conferences are currently being bid for at the moment, with a potential value of €302m if all are secured.
ENDS
NOTE FOR EDITORS
Business Tourism
As one of the highest yield sectors in Irish tourism, business tourism is worth €576 million a year to the Irish economy and the sector is growing year on year thanks to our competitive ranking in the international arena. Ireland now ranks 29th internationally and 17th within Europe, and Dublin ranks 13th internationally and 11th within Europe, according to ICCAs (International Congresses and Conventions Association) 2013 worldwide statistics of international association meetings.
Failte Irelands latest research has shown that the value of the business tourist is increasing. Delegates are now worth over €1400 with an average stay of 2-3 days pre or post conference. Put into context, the business tourist is valued at 2-3 times that of a leisure tourist.
New Conference Wins
CERME (Conference of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education)
The Board of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (ERME) has confirmed at its meetings on 2nd and 8th February, in Prague, that the tenth Congress of European Research in Mathematics Education (CERME 10) will take place in Dublin in February 2017. This event was bid for by Dr Therese Dooley of DCU and Dr Maurice O’Reilly of St Patrick’s College, DCU and has been led by the Mathematics Education Unit at SPD with support from the Mathematics Department at SPD and the School of Mathematical Sciences at DCU.
The 9th edition in Prague attracted 700 leading researchers in mathematics education from 49 countries and Dublin is expecting even stronger numbers in 2017.
International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium Symposium
This has been confirmed to meet at The Grand Hotel, Malahide where 110 international delegates will convene in June, 2016. The Conference Ambassador is Dr Natasha Mitchell from a veterinary practice in Limerick.
IATA AVSEC World
Fáilte Ireland recently confirmed the IATA Aviation Security conference for October 2015, will be held in The Convention Centre, Dublin. This will attract 500 international delegates and is the 7th IATA Conference which Fáilte Ireland has secured over the last two years for Dublin and Limerick. Dublin has also been shortlisted with a very strong bid for the Annual General meeting in 2016 (1,500 delegates). These have all been secured with the fantastic support of local conference ambassador Brian Stapleton from the Irish Aviation Leadership Group and Periploi Aviation.
General Meeting of the Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA)
100 international delegates will attend this event in The Conrad Hotel in Dublin in June 2015. The Conference Ambassador is James Ferguson from the Irish Stock Exchange.