Creating ‘Celtic Connections’ for the island of Ireland

Tourism businesses from the island of Ireland are in Glasgow this week, taking part in Tourism Ireland’s first promotion of 2026 in Scotland – the organisation’s annual B2B workshop and networking event for British travel professionals. 

Twenty-three (23) tourism businesses from the island of Ireland – including hotels, visitor attractions and regional tourism organisations – had the opportunity to connect and do business with the influential tour operators and travel agents who attended. 

In 2026, Tourism Ireland will continue to support tourism SMEs from across the island of Ireland to promote their business on the global stage – connecting them with influential overseas travel professionals and facilitating over 30,000 commercial meetings throughout the year.

Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland's Head of GB, said: “We’re really pleased that so many of our tourism partners from the island of Ireland have joined us in Glasgow this week, highlighting our superb tourism offering to the influential tour operators and travel agents in attendance. Our Celtic Connections workshop is a great opportunity to remind these travel professionals why Ireland is the ideal choice for their clients for a short break or holiday in 2026.” 

Tourism Ireland’s aim is to increase the value of overseas tourism to the island of Ireland and sustainably support local communities by growing revenue to our regions right throughout the year. The organisation’s focus is on attracting tourists who have ‘value-adding tourism traits’ – people who are likely to see more, do more, enjoy more and therefore spend more during their time here. 

Tourism companies from the island of Ireland with Caroline Mulligan (standing, left), David Wood (standing, eighth left), and Linda Duncan (standing, right), all Tourism Ireland; Gwen Beveridge, Tourism NI (standing, second left); and Aislinn O’Driscoll, Fáilte Ireland (standing, second right), at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.