Emirates Airline’s increased frequency on its Dubai – Dublin route acknowledges growing demand for travel to Ireland and the huge potential to grow tourism further from the Gulf, according to Amanda Burns, general manager, Tourism Ireland - Asia hub.
The increase, doubling existing capacity to 14 flights per week as of September 1 this year, highlights recent steady growth in visitor numbers to Ireland. Last year more than 45,000 people from the Middle East visited the island of Ireland – 7 per cent growth on the previous year. The GCC market was also one of Tourism Ireland’s new and developing markets to achieve a record performance, alongside India, China and South Africa.Burns comments: “Four factors drive tourism into the island of Ireland: our fantastic product; an easier visa applications process; our marketing activities in the Gulf and, the most important factor of all, market access. “Delivering twice as many seats vastly improves access and significantly increases the opportunity for Gulf visitors to experience all that the beautiful island of Ireland has to offer. The Gulf market is of growing strategic importance to Tourism Ireland, and holds plenty of opportunities to grow tourism further. We look forward to working with Emirates Airline, our network of tour operators and travel agents in the GCC to further drive tourism into Ireland.”