US tour operators discover Ireland’s Great Outdoors

Seven tour operators from the United States – all specialists in outdoor activity and soft adventure holidays – have been exploring the island of Ireland, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI. 

The visiting tour operators are important partners for Tourism Ireland, bringing valuable American visitors to the island of Ireland each year. Tourism Ireland aims to familiarise them with our superb tourism offering, to ensure Ireland continues to feature prominently in their programmes.

The tour operator’s action-packed itinerary – which had a focus on sustainable experiences and soft adventure – brought them from the Wild Atlantic Way to Belfast. It included the Burren, a private traditional Irish music session and whiskey tasting with J.J. Corry at the Cliffs of Moher, a visit to Inis Mór and a guided e-bike tour to Dún Aonghasa. They also enjoyed a sheepdog demonstration at Killary Sheep Farm, a tour of DK Connemara Oysters, a boat trip on Lough Gill, a surfing lesson on Strandhill Beach with local surfing pioneer Seamus Mc Goldrick, as well as a guided tour of Carlingford. 

In Northern Ireland, the group’s itinerary included a seaweed foraging tour with Crawford’s Rock Seaweed, a Mourne Mountains ‘Men of the Mournes’ guided walk and e-biking in Castlewellan Forest Park. They also enjoyed wild river dipping in Tollymore Forest Park and a ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’ experience with Josephine Brennan King, as well as a visit to Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen. In Belfast, the group visited St George’s Market, Titanic Belfast and enjoyed a Black Taxi Tour of the city. 

Alison Metcalfe, Tourism Ireland’s Head of North America, said: “We’re delighted these influential US tour operators have taken the time to come and experience our superb outdoor activities and sustainable experiences, and to see for themselves what the island of Ireland has to offer their clients. From e-biking along our dramatic coastlines to seaweed foraging, surfing and enjoying our famous hospitality, this visit has highlighted the breadth of outdoor and sustainable adventures on offer across the island. The tour operators’ experiences here will help ensure Ireland features even more prominently in their future itineraries, encouraging more American visitors to come and discover our great outdoors for themselves.”