North America bookings flying high, says tour operator

A major tour operator in the US and Canada last night said bookings into Ireland were up 20% on this time last year.

Brian Stack, managing director of CIÉ Tours International, also said 2013 was another successful year, with business up 20%, giving around 400,000 bed nights in towns and cities across the country.

He attributed the growth to the retention of the lower Vat rate, significant increases in air access, and Tourism Ireland’s strong promotion of Ireland, making it a “hot” destination due to The Gathering.