Above: Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Brendan Griffin TD; Conor Hennigan, MD, Hennigan Hospitality Services; and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO, Irish Tourism Industry Confederation at the launch of the Irish Tourism Industry Awards.

The biennial Irish Tourism Industry Awards are set to return in February 2019, launched yesterday by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin.

Organised by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and a variety of industry partners, the Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and success within Irish tourism. The event will take place in Dublin on February 1st 2019 in the Clayton Hotel, with submissions open on irishtourismindustryawards.ie.

“The Awards are organised by industry with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and are a flagship event within the tourism calendar – I encourage tourism businesses – big and small – to enter the Awards,” said ITIC CEO Eoghan O’Mara Walsh.

Industry sponsors of the Awards include Irish Ferries, Cork Airport, Aer Lingus, CIE Tours, Guinness Storehouse, the OPW and the Irish Hotels Federation. Among those recognised on the night will be International Airlines Group CEO Willie Walsh, who will receive a Special Recognition Award to reflect his contribution to Irish Tourism.

“Tourism is a key sector for the Irish economy,” Minister Griffin noted at the launch, “and it is only right and proper that there is a national event to acknowledge and celebrate the best companies, operators and initiatives in this vibrant industry.”

Submissions can be made up to October 31st, with the winners judged by an independent panel. For more information, see irishtourismindustryawards.ie.