EU tourism ministers set for Mullingar gathering

Mullingar is scheduled to host a gathering of European tourism ministers as part of events connected to Ireland's EU Presidency. The high-level gathering brings together government officials, policy makers, and tourism stakeholders from across the European Union.

The meeting will also include the launch of the first-ever European Sustainable Tourism Policy by Tourism Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Minister for Tourism, Peter Burke TD, is hosting the informal meeting of tourism ministers from across the EU at Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar between November 4 and 5.

Across the two-day event, ministers will discuss all matters relating to tourism across the bloc, including heritage, infrastructure, emissions, employment and innovation.

As part of the engagements, tourism ministers will meet at Mount Druid in Castletown Geoghegan on November 4 to engage with Irish tourism bodies. The evening will showcase Ireland’s Home of Halloween offering and Irish food provenance. It will also highlight EU Just Transition Fund initiatives in the region.

Minister Burke said it’s a great opportunity for Westmeath: “I’m excited to showcase Mullingar and the wider county on the European stage this week to my colleagues across the bloc,” he said.

“The launch of the first-ever European Sustainable Tourism Policy is an important milestone, and it’s fantastic that Ireland and Westmeath will be at the centre of these discussions as we look to shape the future of tourism across Europe," Minister Burke concluded.

The Irish Presidency of the EU is seen as an opportunity to identify strategic opportunities and challenges facing tourism at home as well as across the continent.