Airline CEO Willie Walsh was honoured at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards, receiving the 2019 Special Recognition Award for his contribution to Irish tourism.
The awards are organised by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, and recognise people companies and organisations that have made significant contributions to improving visitor experiences in Ireland. The awards take place every two years.
75 finalists were shortlisted across 15 categories, with the Gleneagle Group winning Best Innovative Place to Stay and Galway Food Tours winning Best Food / Beverage Experience. The full list of winners can be found at www.irishtourismindustryawards.ie.
The Gleneagle Group had already made history in the hospitality industry in July 2018, by becoming the first business in the world to be accredited by the European Network for Accessible Tourism.
Presenter Kathryn Thomas hosted the gala evening, which took place in Dublin at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road and was attended by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D., who presented the awards.