Tourism Ireland is currently engaged on a high profile mission to encourage Chinese tourists to include Ireland on their European itineraries. CEO Niall Gibbons is active in social media in promoting those ventures and businesses that are with him in Beijing.
On this trip though, there is no representation from sport. This despite the fact that China is a market that is consuming sport in vast quantities.
50,000 trade visitors from 70 countries around the Asia Pacific Region attended a major Sporting Goods show in Beijing in the summer. Chinese authorities are determined to use sport as a means of enhancing their reputation at home and abroad as a world power second to none.
In tennis, golf, athletics and swimming, all sports in which Ireland has a viable infrastructure and international reputation, China is determined to be a leading player.
On November 30th the GAA / GPA All Star Hurlers of 2012 and 2013 will take to the field in Shanghai to play the highest profile GAA match the worlds most populous country has ever seen.
The creation by Sport for Business last week of the Irish Sports Tourism Alliance will give a more focused channel through which sport, tourism and business can capitalise on the opportunities around the world that the Irish tourism authorities are clearly targeting, but in which sport is playing a lesser role than it could or should.
We will publish more detail in the coming weeks on how this will take real effect, not just as a forum for discussion but as a catalyst for action. Contact us today if you would like to know more and stay in touch with developments.
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