TORONTO — Tourism Ireland has launched a new video that highlights the measures that have been taken to ensure the safety of visitors once they’re ready to return to the Emerald Isle.

Already open for domestic visitors, the country is looking forward to welcoming back the travel trade and their clients from Canada when the time is right, says Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland CEO.

“Our colleagues in Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland have been working closely with the tourism industry as they reopened and I’m pleased to share a video with you that shows all the measures that have been put in place to ensure that your clients will have a great vacation on the island of Ireland in 2021,” he says. “The health and safety of all our visitors will be the priority and we will ensure they are protected, while still delivering a very warm Irish welcome and a great holiday experience.”

In Northern Ireland, there are currently restrictions in place, with visitors from outside a designated list of countries being required to self-isolate for 14 days. Neither Canada or the U.S. are on this exempted list at this time. The list, which can be viewed here, is under continuous review.

Gibbons adds: “We know and understand the very great difficulty this uncertainty causes for our travel trade partners in Canada, but we will continue to do everything we can to help and will update you on any developments as they take place. We thank you for your ongoing support for Tourism Ireland and the tourism industry on the island of Ireland. We very much value your business and look forward to working with you to rebuild it in the months and years ahead.”

Last week the Irish Government announced that it is now working towards the adoption of the proposed new EU ‘traffic light’ system, designed to reopen international travel across Europe. Ireland hopes to finalize plans in time for decision at the EU’s General Affairs Council meeting on Oct. 13.