TORONTO — A new-to-Canada tour operator specializing in customized and bespoke upscale FIT travel to Ireland was among the many companies that turned out for yesterdayʻs Canada-Ireland Business Breakfast event.

Leading off with remarks from Sandra Moffatt, Country Director – Canada for Tourism Ireland, the event brought together industry professionals and decision makers from many of the sectors joining Canada and Ireland, from tourism and travel, to finance and tech.

“We’re delighted to see such a strong turnout,” said Moffatt.

Moffatt gave a warm welcome to the team from Sheenco, including founder and CEO, Genevieve Sheehan, and Judy Byrne, a well-known Canadian retail industry veteran now based in Calgary as a Luxury Travel Specialist with Sheenco.

ACV’s Joe Couto and RIT’s Ian Duffy

The tour operator, in business since 2012 and recently coming into Canada, sells Ireland as well as England, Scotland and Wales.

There was also a shout-out to Ian Duffy and RIT Vacations, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Air Canada Vacations and ACTA were among the other delegates taking part.

Tourism Ireland was a co-sponsor of yesterdayʻs event, along with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

The theme ʻBeyond Barriers: Deepening Canada-Ireland Trade and Investmentʻ served to showcase the recently released Canada-Ireland Economic Report, in collaboration with the Conference Board of Canada. The report outlines new opportunities to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

During the presentation it was revealed that a name change for the Conference Board of Canada is in the pipeline.

The Imperial Ballroom at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel was packed as guests also heard insights from the Irish trade mission to Canada, led by Peter Burke, Irish Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment.

Minister Burke noted the strong bonds between Canada and Ireland, and the huge potential for developing even more inbound tourism: “More than 4.4 million Canadians have Irish ancestry. That’s 12%,” he said.

Efforts to increase air capacity between Canada and Ireland are underway. “We want to work on an increase in lift. We’re working very hard on that,” said Minister Burke, adding, “Ireland has a very authentic, genuine travel product known across the globe.”

The Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, H.E. John Concannon, said there’s “great momentum” right now between the two countries, noting that  Ireland is now the 10th largest investor in Canada.

“Tourism is an enormous driver in Ireland,” Concannan added. Canada is the fourth largest market for tourism to Ireland.

Tourism Ireland’s travel trade portal is TourismIreland.com/trade.

Main photo caption: Delegates at the Canada-Ireland Business Breakfast event included (l-r) Lindsay Pearlman, Travel Leaders Network; Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland; Joe Couto, ACV; Peter Burke, Irish Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment; Ian Duffy, RIT; Sioban McManamy, Tourism Ireland; Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, H.E. John Concannon; Marco Pozzobon, ACTA