{"id":25501,"date":"2022-03-16T09:39:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T13:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25501"},"modified":"2022-03-16T15:41:23","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T19:41:23","slug":"ireland-open-for-business-again-says-taoiseach-in-washington-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25501","title":{"rendered":"Ireland Open For Business Again, Says Taoiseach In Washington, DC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Taoiseach is in the US this week (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ireland\u2019s tourism industry is once again ready to welcome visitors from across the world after Covid-19, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin was speaking at a reception hosted by all-Ireland body Tourism Ireland at the Kennedy Center in Washington before watching a special 25th anniversary performance of Riverdance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the latest in his series of engagements in the US capital to mark St Patrick\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin said it was a cause for celebration to see the return of live performances after Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cThe beauty, the history and the culture of our island has long made tourism one of the most important parts of not just our economy but also our society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have greatly missed welcoming American and other visitors to Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBefore Covid-19 in 2019 we welcomed over 11 million overseas visitors to the island of Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow is the moment for us to again open our arms, to welcome visitors and to show you the extraordinary sights and experiences of a unique island.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Taoiseach added: \u201cThis is why Tourism Ireland is running out it\u2019s biggest ever program of promotions in 2022 here in the United States and indeed in tourism markets around the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTourism Ireland\u2019s Green Button campaign is continuing throughout this year. The campaign champions our strengths and iconic locations from the Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way to Titanic Belfast and the Giant\u2019s Causeway in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIreland is a wonderful place for a holiday, the warmth and hospitality of the people still stands, our scenery is stunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIreland stands ready to welcome back our friends from the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, Northern Ireland Economy Minister Gordon Lyons attended a business breakfast in New York organized by Tourism Ireland where he took the opportunity to promote Northern Ireland as a holiday destination to US travel industry professionals.<\/p>\n

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