06 October 2026

US tour operators explore the island of Ireland’s sustainable tourism experiences

Six tour operators from the United States – all specialists in sustainable travel – 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. Tourism Ireland aims to familiarise them with our superb tourism offering, with a particular focus on our sustainable tourism product and experiences, to ensure Ireland continues to feature prominently in their programmes. 

Sustainable tourism is both a responsibility and an opportunity. Tourism Ireland’s ambition is to grow the value of overseas tourism in ways that benefit businesses, communities and place.

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 sustainable tourism products and experiences, and to see for themselves what the island of Ireland has to offer their clients. Seeing is believing and our aim is that when they return home, they will be even more enthusiastic about the destination, helping to secure a greater share of their business for the island of Ireland in 2027 and beyond.” 

The tour operator’s action-packed itinerary brought them right across the island of Ireland. It included The Shed Distillery and Kylemore Abbey, a Killary Fjord Boat Tour and an oyster farm tour with DK Connemara Oysters, as well as Ahascragh Distillery and a walking tour with Hidden Howth Experiences. 

In Northern Ireland, the group’s itinerary included an Island Discovery cruise on Lough Erne, visits to Boatyard Distillery, Glenshane Country Farm and Seamus Heaney HomePlace, as well as a tasting session with NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate.

During their time here, the tour operators carried out site inspections at some of our top hotels demonstrating a commitment to sustainable tourism, including Castle Leslie Estate, Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, The Grace, The Galmont Hotel & Spa, Iveagh Garden Hotel, Lough Erne Resort, Belmore Court & Motel, Finn Lough and Killeavy Castle Estate. 

Group of eight people standing outside a stone building covered in red ivy, posing together on a pathway in a landscaped garden.
Tour operators from the United States at Castle Leslie Estate, with Ciaran Barry, Tourism Ireland (left); Letty Cronin, Fáilte Ireland (second left); and Eimear Winters, Castle Leslie (fourth right).

Notes to Editors:

  • Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.
  • In 2025, overseas tourism delivered over €6.4 billion to the island of Ireland.
  • Tourism Ireland’s international website is www.ireland.com, with 21 market sites available in 18 different countries, as well as one international site, in seven language versions around the world. 
  • Tourism Ireland is an agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.