Fáilte to influx of Americans with non-Irish roots

INCREASING numbers of Americans without Irish roots are visiting here, according to new research by Tourism Ireland unveiled last night.

About 30% of American visitors have no Irish connections — a trend that’s seen as a key marketing opportunity, as North Americans stay longer and spend more per head than other nationalities.

They spend approximately 60% more than the average tourist, accounting for one in every five euro spent here.

But, Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said we needed to tackle issues such as value for money, the warmth of the welcome and to ensure the holiday offered suits a more sophisticated visitor.

“Our best prospects for growth, according to the research, lie with frequent travellers to Europe, who are better-educated, better-off urban and suburban dwellers interested in the ‘finer things’ of life,” he remarked at the launch of a new strategy to grow tourism from the other side of the Atlantic.

Tourism Ireland chief executive Paul O’Toole, also attending the launch stressed the need for increased flights and route options.

“This review has identified a number of gateways where increased or new services would significantly improve Ireland’s competitiveness, particularly given the shift in geographic origin of potential visitors,” he said.

He said an open skies policy, allowing for new gateways, would undoubtedly benefit tourism here, although some short-term changes in pattern of arrival and dispersal throughout the country could be expected.

Extra capacity on New York, Boston and Chicago services was necessary while suggested new gateways included San Francisco, Washington Dulles, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Orlando and Miami.