Promoting direct flights to Mayo and the Wild Atlantic Way in Germany and Italy

Tourism Ireland teamed up with Ireland West Airport Knock to organise a workshop and networking event in Cologne, Germany, to promote the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and direct flights from Cologne to Knock with Ryanair.

At the event, around 22 Irish tourism companies – from premium hotels and whiskey distilleries to outdoor activities and hidden gems of heritage – connected with 40 leading German tour operators and travel agents.

Guests enjoyed the best of Irish food, prepared by Good Food Ireland, as well as special Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Wild Atlantic Way signature cocktails created by The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo and Ahascragh Distillery in Ballinasloe.

A similar event took place in Milan to highlight Ryanair flights from Milan-Bergamo to Knock to key Italian travel professionals and journalists.

Tourism Ireland aims to sustainably support the economies of communities right across the island, growing revenue to our regions outside of the peak summer season by an average of +6.5% per year to 2030. A key part of that strategy involves working with regional airports and airlines to promote flights which deliver visitors right to our regions.

Nadine Lehmann, Tourism Ireland’s manager in Germany, said: “We were delighted to partner with Ireland West Airport Knock, Good Food Ireland and our other industry partners from Ireland to highlight ease of access from Cologne and Milan on direct flights with Ryanair, as well as some of the many things to see and do along the Wild Atlantic Way and in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

“Our aim is to inspire potential holidaymakers to choose Ireland and to sustainably support local economies and communities by driving bookings on flights to regional airports like Ireland West Airport Knock.”