Winging it from Beijing! Chinese travel agents explore Kildare

A group of Chinese travel agents and tour operators – from Beijing, Shanghai and Wuxi (a city in the southern Jiangsu province) – have been visiting Kildare and Ireland.

The group were guests of Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, and Hainan Airlines, and  flew to Dublin on the new Hainan Airlines flight from Beijing, which was launched in June.

Travel agents continue to play an important role in China, with Chinese travellers preferring to use a travel agent for a number of reasons, including convenience, language barriers, visa preparation and knowledge gaps. The objective of this trip to Ireland was to highlight the new ease of access between Beijing and Ireland to the travel agents, as well as the many things to see and do here for Chinese holidaymakers.

The group’s itinerary included Kildare Village and Newbridge Silverware.

James Kenny, Tourism Ireland’s Manager China, said: “We were delighted to invite these influential tour operators and travel agents to visit – to enthuse them about the direct flight and ease of access for their clients from Beijing and to experience Kildare’s attractions. In 2017, we welcomed an estimated 90,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland; the introduction of the Hainan Airlines service from Beijing is a major game-changer and offers a real opportunity for us to build on this number.”

Tourism Ireland has a strong network in China, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

Feature photo shows Chinese travel agents and tour operators with Nuoyi Li, Tourism Ireland (right), during their visit to Ireland.