The Inbound Tourism Operators Association of Ireland held its annual workshops on Tuesday, February 24th at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel.
With the generous sponsorship of Limerick City and County Council, a new networking event was added to the programme this year. Held on the Monday evening, it brought together close to 150 attendees, including close to 90 suppliers from across the regions and more than 60 ITOA members. The event provided an informal setting to deepen relationships, explore new opportunities and strengthen regional collaboration.
The venue provided a magnificent setting, offering superb food, excellent meeting space, and warm hospitality - making it an ideal location to host one of the most significant events in the tourism industry’s calendar.
Over 200 suppliers from across Ireland attended the official Workshop Day, representing a diverse range of tourism services, including hotels, visitor attractions, cruise excursions, food tours, chauffeur specialists, and many other exceptional businesses. These suppliers engaged with the 33 independent commercial Tour Operators and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) that make up the ITOA membership.
The economic impact of ITOA members on Irish tourism remains significant. In 2025, ITOA members delivered 716,200 promotable visitors to the island of Ireland. These visitors contributed €305.4 million directly to the economy through spending on accommodation, transport, guiding services, entertainment, attractions and activities. In total, tourists handled by ITOA members spent €673 million while holidaying in Ireland, representing 12.5 percent of total national tourism receipts.
A defining feature of ITOA business is regional dispersal. The majority of ITOA visitors travel beyond Dublin to experience the full breadth of what Ireland offers. This supports sustainable tourism development and balanced economic growth. Financially, 66 percent of ITOA visitor spending takes place outside Dublin, with 34 percent within the capital.
The annual workshops remain a vital event for both suppliers and ITOA members. They provide invaluable face to face meetings that foster new commercial relationships and strengthen existing partnerships. These connections are central to the continued growth of the sector, which remains Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and its biggest regional employer.
Irish tourism and hospitality supports more than 270,000 livelihoods nationwide. As an industry that reaches into every county, its contribution to employment, regional vitality and economic resilience cannot be overstated.
The strong attendance and engagement at this year’s workshops underlines the continued commitment of ITOA members and industry partners to delivering high value overseas visitors and sustaining Ireland’s position as a world class destination.