Irish Tourism Industry Confederation - ITIC

16/04/2026

📢Speaker announcement - ITIC Conference, October 1st
A great line-up of speakers is taking shape for the tourism industry conference of the year which takes place on October 1st at The Convention Centre Dublin

With a theme of "Adjust, Adapt, Accelerate" the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation conference is a must-attend for leaders across tourism, hospitality and broader business sectors.

Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and AIB the conference will once again be moderated by award-winning broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald.

Critical tourism issues will be discussed at home and abroad and the conference will help chart sustainable growth for Irish tourism in a period of macroeconomic and geopolitical flux. Make sure the date is in your diary, bookings will open soon!

11/03/2026

🔵 Tourism and Ireland’s EU Presidency - a unique opportunity

From July 1st to December 31st of this year, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a central leadership role at the heart of EU decision-making.

In this bulletin we look at the Presidency, the importance of tourism to the EU, European policy that will impact travel and hospitality, and the opportunity for Ireland to drive the tourism agenda forward.

The Presidency presents the chance to put a distinct Irish imprint on Europe's work programme, ensuring that tourism issues are amplified and that future opportunities are maximised and challenges identified.

There has never been a more opportune time or backdrop to 'politically' advance the tourism sector at EU level. Make sure you have a read here ➡️ https://www.itic.ie/tourism-and-the-eu/

04/03/2026

🎥The importance of the Dublin pub experience to Irish tourism

Dublin pubs are a key part of the capital’s visitor experience and are enjoyed and celebrated by millions of tourists each year.

Our CEO Eoghan O’Mara Walsh caught up recently with Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of The Licensed Vintners Association, to talk about the pub trade in Dublin, the pressure on costs, and how there is a strong case for simplifying the licensed trade regime.

Take a look here➡

Dublin pubs are a key part of the capital’s visitor experience and are enjoyed and celebrated by millions of tourists each year.The Irish Tourism Industry Co...

12/02/2026

🎥Spotlight on US – will growth continue from Irish tourism’s most valuable market? Interview with Alison Metcalfe of Tourism Ireland

The US is Ireland’s most valuable tourism market by some distance. Last week in New York, Tourism Ireland launched their marketing plans for the US and our CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh caught up with Alison Metcalfe, Exec VP, Head of North America, Australia & NZ, to hear more.

Alison discusses how a strong economy, growing air access, and extensive marketing can continue to stimulate demand this year. Take a look here➡️

The US is Ireland’s most valuable tourism market by some distance.Last week in New York, Tourism Ireland launched their marketing plans for the US and ITIC c...

28/01/2026

🎥Michael Magner discusses highlights from his term as Irish Hotels Federation President

Nearing the end of an eventful term as IHF President, Michael Magner sat down with ITIC CEO Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, to look back at his period at the helm of the Irish hotel sector.

Government engagement, sustainability, and investing in people were 3 key pillars for Michael in a period that also saw the recruitment of a new IHF CEO and the reintroduction of the reduced hospitality rate.

Make sure you take a look➡️

Nearing the end of an eventful term as IHF President, Michael Magner sat down with Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC, to look back at his period at the helm o...

26/01/2026

🚨Exciting News Save the Date! The date and venue for ITIC’s flagship Tourism Conference this year has been revealed..... The Convention Centre Dublin

With Ireland hosting the EU Presidency, the ITIC conference will look at the opportunities and challenges facing Ireland and Europe's most important indigenous industry. As always there will be high profile speakers and an exciting and relevant agenda for a conference that is not to be missed.

Further details to follow but for the moment mark the date in your diary!

21/01/2026

📹Alice Mansergh discusses Tourism Ireland’s marketing plans for 2026
This week Tourism Ireland launched their 2026 marketing plans and their CEO Alice Mansergh sat down to discuss them with ITIC CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh.

Alice talks about the opportunities ahead and how mature markets as well as new and emerging markets can help deliver growth for the Irish tourism economy this year.

Have a look here➡️https://youtu.be/WzH6bAFZvc0

Tourism Ireland launched their 2026 marketing plans (in Dublin on January 19th and in Belfast on January 21st 2026), and their CEO Alice Mansergh sat down to...

30/12/2025

🚨2025 Tourism Review & 2026 Outlook
2025 proved a mixed year for Ireland’s and industry. Business leaders welcomed Government’s renewed commitment to tourism and demand from the key North American market proved strong. However other markets were softer and costs of business continued to rise thereby squeezing profit margins.

In this year-end bulletin, ITIC project that the sector will be worth nearly €9 billion to the national economy in 2025 when accounting for overseas visits and domestic tourism. Tourism industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic for the year ahead.

Click on the link to see how 2025 fared and what 2026 might bring for Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer➡️ https://www.itic.ie/ye25-outlook26/

13/11/2025

📢Irish tourism: Trump, tariffs and transatlantic travel
Irish tourism's dependence on the US market is becoming increasingly pronounced. As welcome as growth in US business is, it also poses a risk of over-concentration.

This bulletin looks at the importance of US visitation to Ireland, how transatlantic business must be defended and deepened, but crucially also how must diversify its portfolio of markets.

Have a read here👉 https://bit.ly/3LAFLcQ

15/10/2025

📢Did you miss “Resilience in an Uncertain World” a fortnight ago in the Lyrath Estate?

Or so enjoyed it that you want to see some of the content again?

Check out this link which includes recordings of the conference, event videos, and photo gallery👉 https://itic.ie/conf25/

09/10/2025

📽️Let’s look back at ❗️
Last week the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation held its annual flagship conference entitled “Resilience in an Uncertain World” at the Lyrath Estate Visit Kilkenny

The conference, sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and AIB, included a stellar line up of speakers across politics, tourism, business, entertainment, tech and economics.

Watch this short highlight video from the day that was enjoyed by over 400 tourism and hospitality professionals https://youtu.be/I8gw810Z3HY

07/10/2025

❗️ITIC welcome's tourism announcements in . Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC, said “Government have acknowledged the difficult trading environment of the hospitality sector and although we’d like to have seen the restoration of the 9% VAT rate from the start of the year it is very welcome that it will come into effect on July 1st”.

ITIC also note the increase in tourism budgets which should help agencies support the industry and help the sector market diversify. O’Mara Walsh commented “Tourism is the largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer in the country. The sector is having a challenging year with mixed demand and squeezed margins and Budget 2026 is certainly a step in the right direction”.