NH goes to Ireland

[Pat K]

Tanks to Jaysus the NH tourist folk
make a trip to Ireland. No news on how much Guinness they drank.

The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (NHDTTD) recently completed its second independent sales mission to Ireland. This mission included sales calls and product training to tour operators and travel agencies in the Greater Dublin area as well as a presence at the Dublin Holiday World Show. This Irish consumer show attracts approximately 55,000 visitors annually, many of whom are looking to book vacations on the spot.

New Hampshire's delegation included four members of the tourism industry: Amy Landers representing the Lakes Region Association and White Mountains Attractions Association; Jim Saunderson with the New Hampshire Ski Group and NHDTTD; Andrew Noyes with Loon Mountain; and Lori Harnois from NHDTTD.

Delegates met with ten different tour operators, including Topflight Ski and Chase International, to help expand the amount of New Hampshire product they offer.  They also met with nine media representatives, including the Irish Times and Irish Travel Trade News, to help grow the amount of stories written about New Hampshire and New England.

Most European countries view travel as a 'must' and Ireland workers typically take a minimum of four to six weeks of vacation time. The Euro still remains high against the US dollar and with falling airline prices, New England and New Hampshire are an excellent destination for a close/long-haul holiday from Ireland.

Skiing in New Hampshire seems to be the latest buzz in Ireland, as it provides a convenient, less expensive alternative to western USA & Europe.  Other areas of interest among Irish consumers to New Hampshire included; tax free shopping, honeymooning, and fall foliage.  Due to the strong ancestral connection between Ireland and parts of New England, information specifically on Boston and New Hampshire was in greater demand than other areas of New England.

For more information regarding the sales mission to Ireland, please email Lori Harnois at lharnois@dred.state.nh.us.

[AntonLee]

but there's a budget shortfall. . . things like this need to happen to draw money in right?  Anyone?  Bueller?

[Lloyd Danforth]

Pat's sneaking into the old folks computer room while they enjoy a 'late' dinner