.
Minister Brendan Griffin, T.D., Minister for State, Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Cllr. John Sheahan, Mayor of Kerry, Ms. Gina Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island, and Stefan Pryor, Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce.
THE Minister for State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, led a 20-strong delegation from Cork and Kerry to Providence, Rhode Island in the United States over the weekend to promote the new Norwegian airways Cork-Providence trans-Atlantic service which commenced earlier this month.
The group which included the Mayor of Kerry, Cllr John Sheahan and the Council’s tourism officer, John Griffin, was hosted by GoProvidence, Rhode Island Airport Corporation and the State of Rhode Island and they attended a series of engagements with tourism and business leaders. The two-day visit, organised by Cork Airport, was aimed at boosting trans-Atlantic tourism and trade.
Minister Griffin said that Providence, which is located mid way between New York and Boston, was an important new gateway from the USA to the South-West of Ireland.
Continued below…
.
The three times weekly service is expected to bring an additional 20,000 US visitors to Cork and Kerry this year. It is first direct trans-Atlantic service to Cork Airport in its 56 year history.
Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. Declan Hurley, Pat O’Connell, President, Cork Business Association, Minister Brendan Griffin, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, and Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. John Sheahan.
Speaking at a reception for business leaders in the Renaissance Hotel, Cllr John Sheahan said that Kerry was the home of tourism and attracted over a half a million US visitors each year. He assured his listeners that they would be most welcome in the Kingdom.
The Irish group were very well received by their Rhode Island hosts including at high level meetings in Providence, Newport and in the State House with Governor Gina Raimondo and Secretary of Commerce, Stefan Pryor.
Minister Griffin presented Governor Raimondo with a book on the history of the GAA while Mayor Sheehan and the Governor exchanged books on Kerry and Rhode Island.
A return trip by Rhode Island tourism and business leaders to Cork and Kerry is expected in September.
