Ireland’s tourism industry was celebrated at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards, where winners in 14 categories won awards for excellence and innovation at a gala event in the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin.
The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC), the umbrella group for the tourism industry in Ireland, organises the awards, along with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, two of its industry members.
Known as the ITIAS, the awards identify and reward innovation, and those who are making a major difference in tourism; through significant initiatives at home and overseas and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience.
Among the winners were Westport House for Best Leisure Tourism Innovation, Dublin Airport for Best International Access Initiative, and the GPO Witness History Visitor Centre for Best Cultural Experience. Along with The Lough Derg Marketing Group – a collaborative initiative by Tipperary, Clare and Galway councils to enhance Lough Derg and tourism in surrounding areas – received the award for best ‘Local Authority Innovation’
Other winners included Bray Air Display for Best Festival/Event Experience, King John’s Castle in Limerick for Best Leisure Tourism Initiative (city) and the Aer Lingus College Football Classic for Best Festival/Event.
There was also a Special Recognition Award from the Irish tourism industry for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which the adjudicating panel felt shone a positive spotlight on Ireland to a global audience.
Presenting the Waterford Crystal trophies to winners was Minister for Tourism, Shane Ross TD who said: “The range of awards recognises both innovation and excellence and rewards the best operators within Irish tourism. It gives us the opportunity to come together to champion excellence, reward success and inspire others in the tourism industry to follow suit. Congratulations to all winners.”
Irish Tourism Industry Award-winners 2017:
- Best International Access Initiative: Dublin Airport
- Best international Marketing Initiative: MCI Dublin for the World Buiatrics Congress
- Best Leisure Tourism Innovation (city): King John’s Castle, Limerick
- Best Leisure Tourism Innovation (county): Westport House, Mayo
- Best Business Tourism Innovation: Green Light Events – Google Sales Conference
- Best Environmental Tourism Innovation: Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, Co. Kildare
- Best Local Authority Tourism innovation: The Lough Derg Marketing Group (a joint initiative of
- Tipperary, Clare and Galway County Councils)
- Best Innovative Place to Stay: River Valley Holiday Park, Co. Wicklow
- Best Festival/Event Experience (over 50,000 people): Bray Air Display
- Best Festival/Event Experience (under 50,000 people): Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2016
- Best Adventure Experience: Vagabond Tours of Ireland
- Best Food & Beverage Experience: Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Dublin
- Best Cultural Experience (over 100,000 people): GPO Witness History, Dublin
- Best Cultural Experience (under 100,000 people): Cnoc Suain, Connemara, Co. Galway
- Special recognition Award: Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme
