Working closely with airlines and airports to build demand for flights is a key priority for Tourism Ireland and this campaign includes radio ads, which will reach an estimated 328,000 listeners on Heart (South Wales), Capital FM and Smooth Radio; ads on Facebook; as well as online ads on websites which will reach hundreds of thousands of people in our key ‘culturally curious’ and ‘great escaper’ audiences.
 
Julie Wakely, Tourism Ireland’s Deputy Head of Great Britain, said: “We are delighted to partner with Flybe and Cork Airport, to maximise the promotion of the flight from Cardiff and help grow tourist numbers to the South of Ireland this year. As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated – they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism.
 
“Great Britain is our largest tourism market and 2016 was a very good year for visitor numbers to Ireland from Britain, with the most recent CSO figures showing an increase of almost +11% over 2015. Since the UK referendum on Brexit, Tourism Ireland has been closely monitoring developments in the British outbound travel market. As our nearest neighbour and our largest market for overseas tourism, Britain will remain a priority for us. The depreciation of sterling against the euro since the referendum means that value for money will be a key message for us in Britain this year. In 2017, Tourism Ireland will continue to work with our partners, like Flybe and Cork Airport, to highlight the ease of getting to Ireland”.