Kerry business – Réalt na Mara Shellfish – joins Tourism Ireland in Paris

Tourism Ireland recently attended IFTM Top Résa in Paris, which is the leading B2B travel show in France. Together with 17 tourism companies from the island of Ireland, including Réalt na Mara Shellfish from Cromane, Tourism Ireland is highlighting the diverse range of experiences on offer here across regions and seasons for French holidaymakers. IFTM provides an important platform for Tourism Ireland and its partners to promote the island of Ireland, strengthening relationships with leading French tour operators, travel agents, business events decision-makers and media representatives. The three-day event typically attracts more than 30,000 visitors. Around 700 commercial meetings will take place on the Ireland stand during IFTM, with the tourism businesses from Ireland – from premium hotels and food experiences to tour operators and visitor attractions – connecting with the French tour operators to negotiate and exchange vital contracts for 2027 and beyond and ultimately bringing valuable tourists to our island. Visitors to the Ireland stand at IFTM also had the opportunity to enjoy an oyster-shucking demonstration and sample some oysters with Réalt na Mara Shellfish, a member of Good Food Ireland. Highlighting the island of Ireland as a destination with great food and drink that combines tradition with modern culinary excellence is a key focus for Tourism Ireland. Barbara Wood, Tourism Ireland's Manager for Southern Europe, said the company's presence at IFTM provides a valuable platform for its tourism partners from the island of Ireland to showcase their products and experiences to leading French travel professionals. 'It's an important opportunity to secure inclusion in travel programmes for 2027 and beyond, with approximately 700 commercial meetings taking place on the Ireland stand this week,' she said. 'France is one of our top four source markets for tourism to the island of Ireland. Tourism Ireland's objective is to attract the attention of the French tour operators, travel agents and media attending IFTM, winning late-season travel for 2026 and positioning us well for 2027 and beyond' Ms Wood said. As a result of the Government's Action Plan on Market Diversification, Tourism Ireland has increased resources for 2026 in Mainland Europe, enabling the organisation to run year-round promotional campaigns in the key markets of France and Germany, seeking to elevate perceptions of Ireland, in line with the organisation's new Mainland European Strategy. The strategy aims to grow spend from Mainland European visitors from €2 billion to €3 billion by 2031.