DUBLIN — Tourism Ireland says it welcomes the May 28 announcement by the Irish Government about the re-opening of travel to Ireland.
The reopening is effective July 19, when Ireland is scheduled to begin implementing the EU’s new Digital COVID Certificate, which will enable more seamless travel among EU member states. Travellers from EU member states bearing the pass – which attests that the holder has either been vaccinated, has had a negative test for COVID-19 or has had the virus – will then be able to visit Ireland without the need for a test or quarantining.
Tourism Ireland says it also welcomes the commitment to extend the Digital COVID Certificate to vaccinated visitors from other countries including Canada in due course.
More from Tourism Ireland (Canada) Market Manager, Sandra Moffat, about the Canadian market can be viewed here.
Tourism Ireland and the Irish tourism industry have been actively planning for the restart of international travel. The organization is now ready to roll out a significant promotional kick-start campaign to entice and welcome back international visitors.
Tourism Ireland adds that the tourism industry has been preparing to ensure visitors will have a great vacation on the island of Ireland in 2021.
“Today’s announcement is an extremely welcome and important step on the road to recovery for our industry and for those looking forward to visiting Ireland this year. For the first time in many months, we can look to the future with optimism,” says Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland.
“We know from our research that there is significant pent-up demand among travellers in our overseas markets to return to the island of Ireland as soon as possible,” said Gibbons. “However, we also know that there will be significant competition in the marketplace; every destination across the globe has experienced the impact of COVID-19 and will be seeking their share of the recovery. Our kick-start campaign will punch through the noise and create an immediate desire to visit.”
Gibbons added: “Everyone at Tourism Ireland looks forward to getting back in full swing, to promote the island of Ireland as a safe, welcoming and ‘must-see’ destination across the world. Over the coming months, we will be working flat out, with all of our partners, to restore as much business as possible. Our message is that we can’t wait to roll out the green carpet and welcome back our overseas visitors.”
