Food can be ‘the secret ingredient’ in driving tourism, survey finds

Food can play an invaluable role in driving Irish tourism, according to a new survey commissioned by Good Food Ireland (GFI), a non-governmental group set up to promote the industry.

Business consultants Grant Thornton conducted the survey for GFI, a group which was set up in 2006 by Wexford farmer Margaret Jeffares to promote Irish B&Bs, hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, cookery schools, food producers and farmers’ markets. GFI says its approved providers contribute around €50m to the Irish economy via their purchasing of Irish produce.

The survey found 100% agreement between members that local Irish food should be an integral part of Ireland’s international tourism marketing.