ambassador's outreach |
Ambassador Thomas C. Foley Cuts the Ribbon for the U.S. Pavilion at Holiday World |
 | (L:R) Maureen Ledwith, CEO, Holiday World, Ambassador Thomas C. Foley and Janine Nolan, CEO, Visit USA Committee.) |
On Friday January 26th, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Thomas C. Foley, cut the ribbon as part of the opening ceremony of the U.S. pavilion at Holiday World, a major annual trade and consumer tourism event on the Irish calendar, and a key multiplier event for the U.S. Commercial Service. He then took the opportunity to walk the U.S. pavilion and meet individually with the exhibitors.
Over 56,500 consumers and 3,500 media are expected to attend the event, to view the 850 exhibitor booths representing over 80 countries including 30 U.S. travel destinations, airlines, and organizations involved in the promotion of Irish travel to America.
 | Ambassador Thomas C. Foley at the New York City Exhibit at the Holiday World, Royal Dublin Society, Dublin. |
Ireland's importance as a source of foreign tourists for the United States continues to grow. The Irish market has recorded a 56 percent increase in travel to the U.S. since 1999. The average length of stay for an Irish visitor is 13 days and daily visitor spending is $123. Recognizing this, the airline industry has responded accordingly and the number of direct flights from Ireland increased by 8 percent in 2006.
