Business travellers to Ireland spend over twice as much as average tourist

VISITORS TRAVELLING to Ireland for business purposes spend 2½ times more than the average tourist, a conference on business tourism heard yesterday.

More than 100 representatives from the hotel, conference and travel industry attended the briefing organised by Fáilte Ireland in Dublin yesterday.

According to the State agency, the business tourism market has generated €58 million for the Irish economy over the past two years. Internationally, over the same period business tourism grew despite the economic downturn.

“There was an increase of 6 per cent in business tourism in 2010,” Fáilte Ireland’s head of business tourism Keith McCormack said.

“Internationally, business tourism is leading the way as the highest growth sector in terms of tourism.”

The US, Britain, Germany, France and Belgium continue to be the most important markets for Ireland in terms of attracting conferences, delegates heard, while industries that have been most sheltered from the economic downturn, such as medical sciences, science and technology, have proved the most resilient.

Conference delegates visiting Ireland tend to stay for two or three days before or after a conference, according to Fáilte Ireland.

Mr McCormack also outlined some of the changes that have beset the conference industry in the last few years, particularly the sharp contraction in lead times.

“Lead times have dramatically reduced. Bookings are now made weeks or months in advance rather than months or years,” he said.

Pointing out that investment in business tourism had been maintained at 2011 levels despite the pressure on public funds, Tourism Ireland’s David Boyce said face-to-face contact through attendance at trade events was crucial in securing access to event decision-makers.

Fáilte Ireland also launched its 2012 Conference Ambassador programme yesterday. It aims to attract international conferences by using Irish professionals who act as representatives for their industry associations.