Pictured in Brussels Airport, at the launch of the new Aer Lingus flight from Brussels to Cork, are Declan Kearney, Aer Lingus director of communications; Christoph Mueller, Aer Lingus CEO and Tourism Ireland board member; and Danielle Neyts, Tourism Ireland Belgium.
The new flight will operate three times a week for summer 2012, providing a welcome boost for both leisure and business tourism from Belgium to Cork and the south of Ireland. Danielle Neyts, Tourism Ireland Belgium, said: “We look forward to working closely with Aer Lingus and Cork Airport to maximise the promotion of this new route and to help drive demand for the flight. As an island destination, direct, convenient and competitive access services are critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism. Tourism Ireland is committed to working with air and sea carriers, airports and other tourism interests to drive demand for this service, and all other services to Ireland, and to help maintain our vital network of routes and services.”
ENDS
Further media information:
Sinéad Grace, Tourism Ireland
Tel: 087-685 9027
Notes to Editors:
• Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.
• Tourism is the island of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry; responsible for in excess of 4% of GNP in the Republic of Ireland and employing approximately 200,000 people.
• In 2011, approximately 7.3 million overseas visitors came to the island of Ireland (+6% on 2010), delivering revenue of approximately €3.4 billion. Overseas tourism business accounts for 59% of all tourism revenue.
• Tourism Ireland’s international website is www.discoverireland.com; there are 42 different websites, providing information in 14 different languages covering every continent. In 2011, discoverireland.com attracted almost 12 million unique visitors.