Tourism Ireland has welcomed the news that Ireland will introduce a five-year, multi-entry visa option for Chinese visitors. The announcement was made yesterday (20 June), by Justice and Equality Minister Charlie Flanagan – at an event to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland.
The scheme comes into effect from 1 July. It’s good news for tourism, making it easier and more attractive than ever before for Chinese travellers to come to Ireland.
Last month, Tourism Ireland announced its intention to double its marketing investment in China, to €1 million, and to also double its marketing team to 12, over the coming months – to grow Chinese visitor numbers to 200,000 by 2025.
Welcoming the news, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “The introduction of a five-year, multi entry visit for Chinese visitors is really good news, making it easier than ever before for Chinese holidaymakers to visit Ireland. It’s another important step in helping us to grow visitor numbers from this market – whether those visitors wish to travel here for sightseeing, golf or as business tourists.
“Our recent review of emerging tourism markets confirmed China as a market of considerable opportunity for us. China is the largest outbound travel market in the world and one that Tourism Ireland is committed to growing over the coming years. Last year, we welcomed an estimated 100,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland; the introduction of direct flights to Dublin has been a major game-changer and offers a real opportunity for us. Our aim now is to capitalise on the changing travel patterns in China to grow Chinese visitor numbers to 200,000 by 2025 and, in particular, to grow the number of high end individual Chinese travellers to the island of Ireland.”
Tourism Ireland will be working hard to promote the new multi-visa entry option in China, with the message that the island of Ireland is very much open for business and visitors are most welcome to our shores.
