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Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has welcomed the decision by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to host its World Passenger Symposium in Dublin in 2013, as part of the year of the Gathering Ireland.

The organisers informed Minister Varadkar that: ‘We believe that the Gathering Ireland is a great opportunity for IATA and the aviation industry to showcase the initiatives that we are driving together to make our industry more secure, innovative and profitable’.

The 2012 IATA Symposium in Abu Dhabi was attended by 500 people over five days. The organisers decided to host their 2013 symposium in Ireland having considered an alternative proposal from Spain.

Minister Varadkar said: ‘This sends out a clear message that Ireland is a good place for international organisations to do business. Fáilte Ireland has been working hard to promote Ireland as a conference venue. I want to thank Fáilte, along with the Irish Aviation Leadership Group led by Brian Stapleton, for their work in helping to secure the conference’.

The conference will be held in the National Convention Centre Dublin next October.

Minister Varadkar also welcomed the news that Ireland has been voted the world’s best tourist destination among a survey of 28,000 high-earning frequent flyers. The Global Traveller survey of international business people found that Ireland topped the list as a visitor destination.

“This is welcome news as we strive to re-position Ireland on the global tourism map. Ireland is currently doing very well in terms of visitors from long-haul destinations. This new survey was conducted among high-earning, well-travelled business people with an estimated income of €300,000. The magazine’s readers take an average of 16 international and 16 domestic round-trip flights per year. This news will be particularly welcome to the hotel and hospitality sector.”