Janet Redler Travel was delighted to attend Meitheal, Failte Ireland’s flagship trade event, which returned as an in-person event this year and saw over 420 Irish tourism businesses pitch to over 200 international buyers.

Karen Fleming, Cashel Palace Hotel, and Janet Redler at Meitheal

Meitheal, the most important travel trade event for the Irish tourism industry, took place at the INEC, Killarney. Running since 1975, Meitheal is organised in conjunction with Tourism Ireland to enable Irish tourism businesses to sell the best of Ireland to top international tourism buyers. Having taken place virtually in 2020 and 2021, the return of this in-person event after a two-year hiatus was hugely important in helping the recovery of the tourism sector. 

Janet Redler, Managing Director, and Neil Redler, Director of Operations, attended Meitheal on behalf of Janet Redler Travel and were pleased to secure over 100 appointments in two days.

Neil Redler at Meitheal

Over 420 Irish tourism businesses pitched to over 200 international buyers and tour operators from more than 19 countries and markets including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA and UK and USA based Online Travel Agents. By the end of the event, Irish tourism businesses were expected to have secured deals worth millions of euro to the Irish economy.  

Pretty Killarney, where Meitheal took place © Tourism Ireland

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in the Irish Government, said:  “Trade events such as Meitheal will be hugely important for the recovery of the tourism sector and the significant number of international buyers attending shows the pent-up demand that exists. As a Government, we have invested heavily in Ireland’s tourism offering over many years and, for a small island, we have a huge amount to offer, from world-class scenery, hospitality, activities, attractions, culture, heritage and food.”  
 
Speaking about the importance of the event to the Irish tourism industry, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said: “Each international buyer here at Meitheal represents tens of thousands of possible visitors. The opportunity to influence their travel itineraries for 2023 and beyond is invaluable and will be hugely important for tourism and hospitality businesses, communities, and destination Ireland as we work towards recovery.”

Janet Redler added: “It was fantastic for us to be back at Meitheal in person and great to meet so many enthusiastic businesses determined to reinvigorate tourism in Ireland. We look forward to working with many of the venues, attractions and experiences as our tours to Ireland resume this year. This was such an amazing event, thank you Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland.”

Skellig Islands and the Wild Atlantic Way

In the week before Meitheal, international buyers were taken on several fact-finding tours designed to give them a first-hand experience of what holidaymakers can expect to see and do while in Ireland. The bespoke itineraries designed by Failte Ireland featured tourism experiences from across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Dublin.

Neil Redler took the opportunity to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, visiting a number of local attractions including Skellig Six 18 distillery and visitor experience, and The Moorings Guesthouse, luxury accommodation in Portmagee, which is perfectly placed for visiting the Ring of Kerry and the Skellig Islands, an iconic filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. (Find out more about our location tours.)

Skellig Six 18 distillery and visitor experience

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Ireland, including a visit to the Wild Atlantic Way, please do contact our friendly team today.