Let’s Go Surfing – well the net at least!

A stunning, sunny Monday morning at Bondi Icebergs, overlooking Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach was the very fitting location for the launch yesterday of Tourism Ireland’s new consumer web site, www.discoverireland.com.

Minister for Trade & Commerce for Ireland, Michael Ahern TD was joined by champion Australian Surfer Brenden Margieson, who has surfed Ireland’s ‘non-virtual’ waves, in launching the site and said, “170,000 Australians visited Ireland in 2005 and while distance and flying time have been a problem in the past, this has now improved through the commencement of a new one stop service to Dublin via Bahrain with Gulf Air ”.

[Pictured right – The British Consul General, Tim Holmes, Brenden Margieson, Minister Michael Ahern and the Consul General of Ireland, Patrick Scullion dream of that next big wave!]   

The launch of www.discoverireland.com is part of a global website launch, with ultimately the new Tourism Ireland site being available in 27 different markets and in 14 different languages showcasing in the most effective virtual manner the extensive range of holidays and activities on offer on the island of Ireland.

www.discoverireland.com sources its information by mining a daily updated database of over 30,000 tourism products including accommodation, festivals, attractions and events, making it the most dynamic and comprehensive all-island Ireland tourism database ever for overseas tourists.

Caroline Brunel, Tourism Ireland’s eBusiness Manager said, “This new site provides us with a unique medium in the battle to remain competitive in persuading travelers to try Ireland as a holiday destination, with a new organic look and feel and an inspirational manner replicating a visit to Ireland.” 

She added, “ www.discoverireland.com  has a range of sections of interest to travelers to Ireland but of particular interest is the “Offers” section, which provides opportunities for local operators to promote their offers on the Tourism Ireland website”.  “There is also a user generated content section which allows travellers to post tips and comments to benefit other travellers”.

The launch of the site coincides with Tourism Ireland’s new multi million dollar global advertising campaign “Discover Your Very Own Ireland”, aimed at ensuring a fresh approach and greater creativity and innovation through increased visibility and awareness of the website amongst consumers worldwide. 

Tourism Ireland also recognises that customer is king and the new website will take maximum advantage of the continuing rise in popularity of the internet amongst consumers, with 40% of Australians researching their holiday on the internet to source information, compare offers and ultimately purchasing holidays through their agent.

www.discoverirleand.com’ s” My Visit” function allows users to store web pages and build up a holiday itinerary which they can save or send to friends and digital media will be integrated from the start with digital radio serving to provide a local flavour and engage the customer.

www.discoverireland.com even has a great little Ryder Cup Golf Game running on the site in the lead-up to the Ryder Cup taking place in Ireland shortly.

So as Brenden would say – surf’s up so let’s go surfing…………………………………on www.discoverireland.com!

Report by the surfing Mole – if you don’t believe me, see the top of the page!