Pictured from left: Helen Forde (Lochinver Farmhouse), Danielle Neyts (Marketing representative for Tourism Ireland in Belgium), Margaret Leahy (Castlefarm), and Bernadette Freyne (Ardfield B&B).Over 300 Tour Operators from 23 countries around the world got a taste of real Irish B&B hospitality at the Meitheal 2012 event in Dublin’s RDS this week. A 12-strong B&B Ireland team travelled to Dublin for the 2-day event to showcase the food, welcome and hospitality given to customers when they stay in a bed and breakfast.
Meitheal – one of the biggest trade events in the Irish tourism calendar – is organised by Fáilte Ireland in conjunction with Tourism Ireland. The event is open to Fáilte Ireland approved operators, such as owners of approved B&Bs. B&B Ireland, the largest promotional organisation for the B&B sector in Ireland, represented its 1,000 members at the event. “Members from Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Westmeath, Dublin, Kerry and Cork came to Meitheal to give a warm Irish B&B welcome to the travel trade,” says B&B Ireland chief executive Helena Healy.
“Over the last 18 months, more and more Irish B&Bs have gone through the new Failte Ireland rating system to be registered as Approved or as 3, 4 or 5 Star accommodation. It gives customers the assurance of quality and service when they stay in a bed and breakfast,” she adds.
“B&Bs are now offering a wider range of activity holidays, such as walking, golf, adventure, Gaeltacht, farmstay, food lovers, angling and eco-breaks. This allows customers to stay in rural Ireland when they take part in their chosen activity.” See www.bandbireland.com for details and bookings.
Media queries to: Trish Hegarty on 086 1740057 or trish@iniscommunications.com