Local appointed Head of Tourism Ireland in Britain

Trim woman Vanessa Markey as been appointed Head of Tourism Ireland in Britain, the largest market for tourism to the island of Ireland. She joins the organisation with extensive senior marketing experience, having worked most recently with Bentley Motors where she was marketing strategy, launch and planning manager. Ms Markey previously held a number of positions with Jaguar Land Rover - as marketing and PR manager Europe, primary brand communications manager, global, for Jaguar Land Rover, and commercial services manager for Heritage Motor Centre (Land Rover). Her tourism experience includes a period working with DFDS Seaways, where she was strategic marketing manager and successfully led a major rebranding project, from Scandinavian Seaways to DFDS Seaways. Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons said: “I am delighted to welcome Vanessa Markey to this key strategic role in our organisation. She joins Tourism Ireland at a time when we are facing a number of challenges in our battle to restore the Great Britain market to growth. Vanessa brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in international marketing and will play a pivotal role in implementing our strategy in the all-important GB market.” Ms Markey said: “This is a fantastic role and an exciting opportunity for me. Great Britain remains the most important market for tourism to the island of Ireland, delivering approximately 50 per cent of all visitors each year and approximately 40 per cent of all revenue. Despite the current difficulties, I am confident that there is much further potential yet to be unlocked. I look forward to taking this important market from strength to strength with the great Tourism Ireland team already in place and to working closely with our industry partners to help deliver growth.” Ms Markey is the second Meath person to hold the position with the tourism body. Carnaross woman Margaret Cahill, a former Meath Personality of the Year, held the position for many years when the organisation was known as Bord Failte. Ms Markey also joins another Meath person in a promienent role at Tourism Ireland, where Shane Clarke from Tara is director of corporate services and policy, based in the organisation’s Dublin office. He replaced Niall Gibbons, who took up the role of chief executive in June of last year.