A new autumn holiday break initiative has been launched this week by the Taoiseach Brian Cowan TD. Approximately 750,000 Discover Ireland supplements each containing a cheque will be made available.
The initiative is being co-ordinated by Failte Ireland and by the tourism industry who have agreed to participate in the giveaway and redeem the cheques involved. In the supplements the accommodations taking part are clearly marked out and each provider agreed to discount the relevant amount when presented with the cheque.
The initiative is part of Failte Ireland's year round promotion of Ireland as a home holiday and short break destination. The autumn breaks initiative is part of Failte’s ongoing work in promoting holidays at home within the Irish market this year.
The home market is now worth in excess of 1 billion Euro to the economy and has a key role this year as the tourism industry is now offering greater value and more convenient breaks in order to sustain jobs in the face of difficult trading conditions internationally.
At the launch the Taoiseach pointed out that this new initiative sustains an ongoing campaign to present Ireland to people as a convenient, good value alternative to travelling abroad.
He said, “I hope as many people as possible will avail of bargains within these offers and enjoy the best this country has to offer.”
Welcoming the Taoiseach’s support for the Autumn breaks Failte’s director Sean Quinn said, “The traditional high season might be over but activity throughout autumn can make or break many businesses, this campaign is based on extensive consumer research which has revealed that Irish people that are less likely to have short breaks overseas than they were in 2008 and there is a greater likelihood that more people will holiday at home this year.”
On Saturday the September 19th, the new supplements each containing a cheque and bargain offers will be available at all Failte tourist information offices and will also be available in selected national and local newspapers that week. The supplement will highlight the large amount of activities and attractions which are free and easily accessible to the reader when planning their break.
Concluding his talk at the launch the Taoiseach said, “Earlier this year I asked the relevant state agencies to work to promote Ireland as an autumn break destination so I am delighted to be here to support this launch which will in turn support many thousands of jobs in the tourism industry.”
