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Ireland’s Blue Book gaining international recognition for heritage tourismAugust 2005

Hilary Finlay, Director of Ireland’s Blue Book, the prestigious tourist marketing association was recently elected Chairperson of the Historic Hotels of Europe. The HHE is an umbrella federation bringing together Europe’s top national marketing associations. These 15 associations represent their countries national cultural traditions, historic heritage and architecture.

The HHE with its network encompasses over 1,000 properties making it one of the largest marketing bodies of its kind within Europe.

Hilary Finlay , in her capacity as Chairperson of the HHE has been invited to be Moderator at the forthcoming International Hotel Conference in Monte Carlo in September for the session on ‘Charm and Profitability of Boutique Hotels’. Other panellists include the Chief Executive of the Malmaison & Hotel du Vin Hotels and the Director of HVS International and the attendance will include the senior executives with international organisations such as Four Seasons Hotels; Mariott International and Starwood Hotels to name but a few. www.internationalhotelconference.com

Hilary Finlay has also been invited to be a speaker at the 11 th International Conference of National Trusts: Sustaining World Heritage in the 21 st Century” which will be held in Washington, DC in October. Finlay will be joined on the panel “Tourism – Impact and Opportunities” relating to heritage tourism, by Jonathan Tourtellot of the National Geographic Society and Amy Webb of the U.S. National Trust for Historic Preservation. www.nationaltrust.org/international/

These two speaking engagements will be instrumental in ensuring that Ireland, through the Blue Book association will be promoting the high quality heritage tourism market which is badly needed to restore the country’s current declining tourist figures.

Tom Doorley’s recent listing of 100 Best Restaurants in Ireland included all three Blue Book Dublin city restaurants; Chapter One; L’Ecrivain; Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and several other Blue Book properties in the country were included such as the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge; Ballymaloe House | Castle Leslie; Dunbrody House and Restaurant; Rathmullan House; Wineport Lodge. Also getting a mention was the Park Hotel in Kenmare; Longueville House in Mallow and Castle Durrow. Needless to say these accolades were all hard earned and well deserved

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Issued 12 August 2005

Contact: Hilary Finlay, Ireland’s Blue Book, 8 Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2.
Tel: (+353) 01 6769914 E mail: mail@irelandsbluebook.com

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com