Published on
September 24, 2025
Tourism Ireland is again promoting the island of Ireland as a top-class European destination by attending IFTM Top Resa 2025 in Paris. The event is a high-profile one that offers a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of the island’s tourism experiences ranging from stunning natural beauty, cultural heritage, to urban experiences. In association with 15 Irish tourism businesses, Tourism Ireland is offering a richness of choice for French holidaymakers, building on the close links between Ireland and France to further increase visitor numbers and tourism-related expenditure.
Building on Strong Tourism Ties with France
France remains one of Ireland’s top four inbound tourism markets, and the participation in IFTM Top Resa 2025 highlights the importance of French travelers to Ireland’s tourism sector. Tourism Ireland views the French market as a key contributor to the growth of its tourism economy, and the goal is to deepen these ties through strategic collaborations with French tour operators, travel agents, and media contacts. The fair enables Ireland to highlight the unique selling points of the island, ensuring that Ireland remains top-of-mind for French visitors seeking a rich mix of history, nature, and modern experiences.
Highlighting the Diversity of Irish Tourism Experiences
One of the central themes of Tourism Ireland’s participation at IFTM Top Resa is to showcase the diversity of experiences available throughout the country. Whether travelers are seeking adventure tourism, luxury experiences, or cultural exploration, Ireland offers something for everyone.
Tourism Ireland is emphasizing the range of experiential travel available across the country, including eco-tourism in the Wild Atlantic Way, cultural tours in Dublin and Belfast, golf tourism at world-renowned courses, and family-friendly adventures. The country’s natural beauty, such as the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Giant’s Causeway, is also a major draw for tourists. This year, special attention is being paid to themed tourism experiences, such as literary tours, film location visits, and whiskey tastings—all of which cater to French tourists’ growing desire for unique and authentic travel experiences.
Expanding Air Connectivity and Making Ireland More Accessible
As part of the broader strategy to improve tourism flows, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and other European carriers are expanding flight connections between France and Ireland. Discussions at IFTM Top Resa 2025 also revolved around increasing air connectivity, with more direct flights from French cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille to Dublin, Cork, and Shannon. This expanded air connectivity will make Ireland even more accessible for French tourists, boosting visitor arrivals and improving the overall travel experience for those wishing to explore both the urban attractions and rural beauty of the island.
The improvement in flights and transportation infrastructure will ensure that visitors can travel between Ireland’s key destinations with ease, allowing them to experience a wide range of tourist activities without the hassle of long journeys or complex connections.
Ireland’s Year-Round Appeal: Attracting French Tourists Across All Seasons
The message at IFTM Top Resa 2025 is clear: Ireland is a year-round destination, offering unique seasonal experiences for tourists at any time of the year. Minister of Tourism, Catherine Martin, emphasized that Ireland’s tourism offerings extend beyond the summer months, making it an attractive destination throughout the year. This message resonates with the growing demand for off-season travel, as French tourists increasingly seek destinations that offer experiences for all seasons.
In winter, Ireland offers Christmas markets, holiday festivals, and cozy accommodations, while the spring and autumn seasons bring travelers to Ireland’s countryside for wildlife watching, walking tours, and cultural festivals. The ability to promote year-round tourism is a major component of Tourism Ireland’s strategy to boost visitor numbers from France, especially as the demand for off-season holidays rises.
Strengthening Cultural and Educational Ties Between France and Ireland
At the heart of Tourism Ireland’s strategy is the promotion of cultural exchange between Ireland and France. By fostering closer ties through shared cultural initiatives, Ireland aims to appeal to French tourists interested in the island’s rich cultural heritage, including its literary traditions, music, art, and food. Cultural exchange is becoming a cornerstone of tourism growth, with France increasingly interested in learning more about Irish history and heritage.
Ireland offers various festivals, literary events, and art exhibitions that can provide French tourists with a deeper connection to the Irish cultural fabric. Educational exchanges are also important for future tourism growth, with Tourism Ireland working alongside French universities and academic institutions to promote educational tourism. This includes initiatives such as language courses, study abroad programs, and academic conferences that bring French students and scholars to Ireland.
Promoting Sustainable and Eco-Tourism Initiatives in Ireland
Sustainability has become a key factor in tourism choices, and Tourism Ireland is committed to promoting eco-friendly travel options that appeal to responsible tourists. Eco-tourism is an emerging sector for both French and global travelers, and Ireland has been investing heavily in its green tourism initiatives. Sustainable travel options, such as eco-lodges, biking tours, and wildlife conservation efforts, are gaining popularity among French tourists seeking a more responsible travel experience.
The push for sustainable tourism is in line with Ireland’s broader sustainability goals and aligns with the global tourism trend of reducing environmental footprints while still providing memorable travel experiences.
Future Prospects: Long-Term Growth for French-Greek Tourism Relations
Looking forward, Tourism Ireland is focused on building long-term tourism relations with France by continuously promoting new routes, tourism initiatives, and partnerships with French travel agencies. With the 2025 tourism campaigns, the goal is to increase French arrivals and make Ireland the first choice for cultural tourism and adventure travel.
The Tourism Ireland team, alongside local tourism businesses, will continue to work with French tourism professionals to offer tailored packages that cater to French-speaking markets, highlighting both luxury and authentic experiences in Ireland.
A Bright Future for Tourism Between France and Ireland
Ireland is poised to further establish itself as one of the leading destinations for French holidaymakers with its diversified cultural attractions, environmentally friendly travel experiences, and enhanced tourism facilities. IFTM Top Resa 2025 has been an important opportunity for Tourism Ireland to promote Ireland’s popularity and deepen connections with French travel industry professionals. Through ongoing emphasis on tourism throughout the year, cultural exchange, and sustainability, Ireland is well set to enjoy continued success in appealing to French tourists and as a top destination in Europe.
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