Dutch travel agents explore Northern Ireland

The travel agents were here to experience at first-hand the wealth of things to see and do in Northern Ireland for Dutch holidaymakers. Their action-packed itinerary began in Belfast, where they enjoyed a Belfast Food Tour with Taste and Tour NI. They visited Titanic Belfast and did a Black Taxi tour of the city.  

The group stopped off at Game of Thrones Studio Tour, took part in a ‘canoe and cake’ experience on Strangford Lough and enjoyed a tour of Hinch Distillery. They also visited Glenarm Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Crindle Stables and the Dark Hedges. 

The aim of the visit was to inform the Dutch travel advisors about Northern Ireland and our superb tourism offering, so they’ll be better informed and more enthusiastic than ever about the destination when advising their clients about planning and booking their holidays here. 

Karen van der Horst, Tourism Ireland’s Manager for Northern Europe, said: “We were delighted to invite these Dutch travel professionals to come and experience Northern Ireland. Their visit was an excellent opportunity to showcase our superb tourism offering, including our fantastic food and drink and our superb outdoor experiences and attractions.  

“Working with the travel trade is an important element of Tourism Ireland’s promotional activity in the Netherlands, so fact-finding visits for groups like this are really important. Our aim is that they will be even more enthusiastic about the destination when they return home, helping to secure a greater share of their business for Northern Ireland in 2023 and beyond.” 

Dutch travel agents visiting the Crown Bar as part of a Belfast Food Tour, with Orla McElhinney, Tourism Ireland (front, right); and Sara Patterson, Taste and Tour NI (front, left).