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Minister highlights the importance of food tourism to the Irish economy & the value of “gastro-diplomacy”

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, this evening (Tuesday) launched the inaugural touRRoir Hall of Fame at a gala dinner at Croke Park at the conclusion of the day-long tourRRoir16 event.
touRRoir is a new global forum for food, tourism and culture and Ireland’s involvement and hosting of tourRRoir16 aims to position Ireland as a global leader in food tourism.
Minister Flanagan addressed a gathering of food producers, senior Irish tourism industry representatives as well as invited guests from around the world, highlighting Ireland’s capacity to be a world leader in food tourism and the growing importance of gastro-diplomacy. The gala was also attended by a number of Ambassadors based in Ireland.
Minister Flanagan stated:
“Ireland is excited to be part of this tourRRoir initiative, the first dedicated global forum drawing the Food, Tourism & Culture sectors together to foster shared values and to explore the “authenticity” trend in food and tourism.
“We have long been proud here in Ireland of the rich experiences we have to offer our international visitors, but innovative approaches such as this, at the intersection of food and culture, are vital to keeping Ireland at the forefront of sustainable, distinctive, quality tourism.
“The promotion of Irish food and culture – gastro-diplomacy - is an increasingly central part of Ireland’s engagement with the world. My Department and our Embassy network look forward to working with Good Food Ireland, our State Agencies and other partners in driving forward this initiative as part of our wider promotional role.
“We know how well regarded Irish food and ingredients are around the world, and now more than ever, is the time to capitalise on this interest, and our involvement with touRRoir is an important part of this effort.”
Minister Flanagan also presented awards to inductees to the TouRRoir International Food Tourism and Culture Hall of Fame, a prestigious new award in global food tourism and culture recognizing individuals, teams or destinations around the world whose vision, creativity and drive has had a positive impact on the development of food, tourism and culture.


Note for Editors
tourRRoir16 – www.tourrior.com- is the first dedicated global forum drawing the Food, Tourism & Culture sectors together to foster shared values and to explore the “authenticity” trend in food and tourism.
Over 50 Irish Food producers and chefs took part in a Good Food Ireland Showcase during the all-day event on 1 November in Croke Park which culminated with a 10th Anniversary Collaborative Dinner crafted by International and Irish Chefs and inspired by Ireland’s landscape and seascape.
The event witnessed the inauguration of the TouRRoir International Food Tourism and Culture Hall of Fame a prestigious new award in global food tourism and culture recognizing individuals, teams or destinations around the world whose vision, creativity and drive has had a positive impact on the development of food, tourism and culture.
touRRoir16 was organised by Good Food Ireland, in collaboration with conference and event experts, Soolnua, to mark ten years of growing Ireland’s food tourism scene.
The initiative is supported by TourismNI, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Croke Park Meetings & Events, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Condé Naste, EPIC Ireland, VizEat, Shannon Heritage, Skift Travel IQ, House of Waterford Crystal, Trippus Event Solutions.