Representatives from The Horse and Jockey Hotel and the Cashel Palace at Meitheal 2025
Several Tipperary Hospitality Businesses are participating in the Meitheal 2025 Tourism Marketing event – including the Cashel Palace Hotel, Ireland Chauffeur Travel (Cashel), Cashel Horse Country(recently rebranded from Thoroughbred Country, the Anner Hotel Thurles, the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Destination Lough Derg and the Abbeycourt hotel Nenagh.
In total over 380 Irish businesses engaged with over 250 international buyers to secure greater tourism business for Ireland. Meitheal, which is largest and most important trade event for the Irish tourism industry, took place this week at the Gleneagle INEC in Killarney.
Significant business deals are expected to be signed over two days as over 10,000 sales meetings are scheduled between 389 Irish tourism providers and 255 international buyers and tour operators from 15 countries. The countries represented are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, and the USA.
The best of what is on offer in Ireland was showcased with the aim of being scheduled on the itineraries of the global tour operators. Key themes and trends interesting international buyers this year include multi-generational trips, small private tours, outdoor activities and immersive experiences that incorporate food and traditional craft making. Prior to Meitheal, international buyers were given familiarisation trips to experience first-hand the tourism product of Ireland.
Recent Central Statistic Office(CSO) data shows that visitor numbers and spend in February 2025 is down by 30% compared to February 2024. 304,300 foreign visitors completed a trip to Ireland in February 2025, a decrease of 30% compared with February 2024. The visitors spent €196 million in Ireland down 31% compared with February 2024.
