Tourism Ireland bids to woo US holidaymakers

Tourism chiefs are blitzing US television networks, newspapers and the internet with ads promoting Ireland in a half-a-million-dollar bid to woo holidaymakers, it was revealed today.

The week-long campaign will include broadcasts aired on CNN, Fox News, Golf Channel, BBC America, Discovery Science and the Travel Channel.

Ads will also be printed in global newspaper titles such as The New York Times and the Boston Globe.

Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland chief executive, said the body wants visitor numbers from the US to grow 2% in 2010.

“North America is a very important market for tourism to the island of Ireland,” Mr Gibbons said.

“We will instil a sense of urgency to encourage travel now and execute strong campaigns emphasising the convenience and value of a holiday on the island of Ireland, as well as compelling reasons to visit.”

In addition to the media campaign there will also be specific Northern Ireland campaigns which will include advertising in newspapers in the Southern States of the US and a campaign to target the Scots-Irish.

Specific Northern Ireland promotional events will include staging a major 'Titanic: Made in Belfast' exhibition in New York.

Tourism chiefs also plan to spend around a million euro each month next year to woo British holidaymakers to Ireland.