Categories & Submissions

Submissions are invited from businesses/organisations who have devised and implemented an outstanding marketing campaign or initiative in an overseas market that promotes Ireland as a destination.

Submissions may include, but are not limited to, new programmes, bundling of experiences, and new ways of communicating – through video, audio, social media, print or multi-media campaigns – that are directed at increasing the number of international visitors to Ireland.

The award will be evaluated on the innovation and creativity of the concept involved, the effectiveness of its execution or implementation, and on the results achieved.

Judging Criteria:

• Show the innovation and creativity of your campaign materials and strategy (25%)
• Explain the engagement/interactivity with the target audience, including innovative use of digital and other media (25%)
• Results – show evidence of conversion of awareness/interest to increased visitor numbers (25%)
• Describe the enhancement of local, provincial and/or Ireland’s national tourism image (25%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions are invited from business/organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to, and innovation in, the development, delivery, promotion and successful sales of a new or existing service or route that has opened up overseas markets or sectors and increased the number of international visitors to Ireland.

Submissions are welcomed from, but not limited to, air and sea carriers, air and sea ports, handlers and operators.

Judging Criteria:

• Explain and demonstrate the opening up of new markets and/or sectors (25%)
• Show the incremental traffic growth to date as a result of your access initiative, and describe your vision for sustaining and developing your market (50%)
• Describe the innovativeness and creative presentation of your initiative, in terms of how Ireland is portrayed as a destination (25%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

(a) Large (experienced by over 50,000 visitors per annum)
(b) Small (experienced by under 50,000 visitors per annum)

Entries are sought in this wide-ranging category from businesses, communities and local authorities focused on the Wild Atlantic Way which embody and deliver the principles of hospitality and customer service; who place a high value on the tourism experience for visitors, who contribute to the fabric, attractiveness and sustainability of its tourism region; and who bring the story of the place to life for the visitor.

The ‘experience’ can be an activity, a visitor attraction, a place to stay, a tour, a food or cultural offering, or a formal or informal alliance, and must showcase the very best the Wild Atlantic Way region has to offer. Tourists that enjoy the experience must feel enthused, engaged and excited by a quality tourism product, and must come away with a story to tell.

Judging Criteria:

• Show how your product / experience demonstrates high standards of hospitality excellence and customer service (20%)
• Describe how your product /experience showcases the Wild Atlantic Way promise of rugged, wild landscapes (40%)
• Show the economic impact of your experience on the location that it is based (20%)
• Explain how it promotes incremental tourism activity and contributes to the tourism brand of the host region (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

(a) Large (experienced by over 25,000 visitors per annum)
(b) Small (experienced by under 25,000 visitors per annum)

Entries are sought in this wide-ranging category from businesses, communities and local authorities focused on Ireland’s Ancient East which embody and deliver the principles of hospitality and customer service; who place a high value on the tourism experience for visitors, who contribute to the fabric, attractiveness and sustainability of its tourism region; and who bring the story of the place to life for the visitor.

The ‘experience’ can be an activity, a visitor attraction, a place to stay, a tour, a food or cultural offering, or a formal or informal alliance, and must showcase the very best Ireland’s Ancient East region has to offer. Tourists that enjoy the experience must feel enthused, engaged and excited by a quality tourism product, and must come away with a story to tell.

Judging Criteria:

• Show how your product / experience demonstrates high standards of hospitality excellence and customer service (20%)
• Describe how your product /experience showcases the Ireland’s Ancient East promise – the built heritage brought to life through great stories – and brings this story to life through the visitor experience (40%)
• Show the economic impact of your experience on the location that it is based (20%)
• Explain how it promotes incremental tourism activity and contributes to the tourism brand of the host region (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

Entries are sought in this wide-ranging category from businesses, communities and local authorities focused on Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands which embody and deliver the principles of hospitality and customer service; who place a high value on the tourism experience for visitors, who contribute to the fabric, attractiveness and sustainability of its tourism region; and who bring the story of the place to life for the visitor.

The ‘experience’ can be an activity, a visitor attraction, a place to stay, a tour, a food or cultural offering, or a formal or informal alliance, and must showcase the very best Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands region has to offer. Tourists that enjoy the experience must feel enthused, engaged and excited by a quality tourism product, and must come away with a story to tell.

Judging Criteria:

• Show how your product / experience demonstrates high standards of hospitality excellence and customer service (20%)
• Describe how your product /experience showcases the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands promise of being active in nature through gentle exploration ‘off the beaten tracks’ (40%)
• Show the economic impact of your experience on the location that it is based (20%)
• Explain how it promotes incremental tourism activity and contributes to the tourism brand of the host region (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

(a) Large (experienced by over 100,000 visitors per annum)
(b) Small (experienced by under 100,000 visitors per annum)

Entries are sought in this wide-ranging category from businesses, communities and local authorities focused on Dublin which embody and deliver the principles of hospitality and customer service; who place a high value on the tourism experience for visitors, who contribute to the fabric, attractiveness and sustainability of its tourism region; and who bring the story of the place to life for the visitor.

The ‘experience’ can be an activity, a visitor attraction, a place to stay, a tour, a food or cultural offering, or a formal or informal alliance, and must showcase the very best the Dublin region has to offer. Tourists that enjoy the experience must feel enthused, engaged and excited by a quality tourism product, and must come away with a story to tell.

Judging Criteria:

• Show how your product / experience demonstrates high standards of hospitality excellence and customer service (20%)
• Describe how your product /experience showcases the Dublin promise, of a vibrant city, side by side with nature (40%)
• Show the economic impact of your experience on the location that it is based (20%)
• Explain how it promotes incremental tourism activity and contributes to the tourism brand of the host region (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

This category is open to both large and small festival / event experiences, and submissions are welcomed from both recurrent and one-off events. It may be, but is not limited to being, of the following type: cultural, historical, musical, arts, sporting, culinary, literary, humorous, or of general interest.

This award is presented to the festival or event that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations and which increases the number of international visitors to Ireland, and/or increases the number of domestic tourists to a particular destination.

Judging Criteria:

• Define the commitment to visitor/participant/spectator satisfaction (20%)
• Demonstrate innovation in areas such as digital capability, animation/branding of the local area or the provision of a timely programme of activities. Also the commitment to growth, innovation, brand extension and product development (20%)
• Show how it stimulates incremental economic activity, social engagement, and increased awareness of the host destination during the festival/event (20%)
• Explain how it promotes tourism and develops economic activity year-round in the host community and/or region (20%)
• Describe the social/cultural impact on Ireland and/or the host community and/or region (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

This award is presented to the individual, company or organisation that has successfully developed and promoted an authentic, innovative and enriched tourism-related food or beverage offering for leisure and/or business visitors. Submissions should show how the entrant showcases and enhances Ireland’s food/beverage story, setting Ireland’s experiences apart from other destinations and placing us on the international food and drink stage.

Judging Criteria:

• Describe the creation of an innovative food/beverage offering over the past three years by an existing or new operator, community group or destination (40%)
• Show the attraction of new visitors as a result of the initiative (20%)
• Explain how it provides value for money and improves margins, in accordance with Fáilte Ireland’s Food & Drink Strategy 2018-2023 (20%)
• Define the commitment to growth and environmental sustainability of your product/experience (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

Entries are invited from businesses who can demonstrate a contribution and commitment to enhancing the image and long-term viability of Ireland as an excellent Business Tourism Destination.

This award is presented to the operator, venue, service provider or supplier who has developed an innovative meeting, incentive, conference, exhibition or other event programme, product or service that has demonstrably increased the number of overseas business travellers to Ireland.

Judging Criteria:

• Show how your bid and/or programme content delivered creativity and innovative use of tourism product, enabling Ireland to win the business (40%)
• Explain the commitment to visitor/participant satisfaction and demonstrate the clients’ satisfaction, i.e. supporting post-event feedback, repeat or future business commitment etc. (40%)
• Describe how this formula enhances Ireland’s reputation as a business tourism destination, and outline what you consider to be the essential elements for delivering success (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

This award is presented to the business or organisation, large or small, which has demonstrated a commitment to the development, delivery, promotion and successful selling of a new, sustainable and innovative tourism product or service. The entrant should highlight the benefits of the natural environment, while supporting its conservation.

Judging Criteria:

• Explain how your services, products or materials deliver environmental innovation in tourism (25%)
• Show how your approach positively benefits the natural environment (25%)
• Explain how these benefits are communicated to visitors / customers (25%)
• Show how it provides long-term social and economic benefits to the local community (20%)
• If you have a third-party environmental accreditation, please include supporting evidence (5%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

Applicants are invited from all strands of Fáilte Ireland registered, approved or endorsed accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs, guest-houses, historic houses, caravan and camping, holiday apartments or cottages, self-catering units, as well as atypical and characterful accommodation experiences that meet the Fáilte Ireland Welcome Standard.

This award is presented to a business or organisation that has successfully developed and promoted a unique, creative and exciting innovation within overnight accommodation. Equal consideration will be given to all ‘places to stay’, regardless of their size.

Judging Criteria:

• Creation of something unique and innovative within the overnight accommodation sector (60%)
• Attraction of new visitors as a result of the initiative (20%)
• Commitment of growth and sustainability of the product/experience (20%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.

Applications are welcome from small, medium or large enterprises that have begun trading in the last three years. Your new tourism initiative – be it a product, service, or technology – must be exceptional and forward-thinking in the tourism sector. The award will be presented to a business/organisation which can demonstrate how the benefits may be shared or scaled across the Irish tourism industry to improve the overall consumer experience.

Judging Criteria:

• Describe the research – product, service, financial, market – undertaken in devising your innovation’s strategy (25%)
• Provide a detailed description of the innovation and uniqueness of your product/service, and how it enhances the fabric of Ireland’s tourism offering (25%)
• Describe the challenges and opportunities you have experienced, and evidence of your success to date (25%)
• Describe how you will continue to grow and sustain your initiative over the next five years (25%)

Entry Guidelines | Terms & Conditions

Submissions to the Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2019 are now closed. Thank you to all those who entered and good luck! Keep visiting this website and/or follow us on Twitter for all the latest news and updates.