KildareVillage - Driving Tourism From the USA to "Dublin's Doorstep"

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Jun 15, 2011, 08:00 ET

LONDON, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Tourism Ireland has reported that inbound tourism from the USA to Ireland increased by 12% in the final quarter of 2010, with the upward trend continuing in Q1 2011.

Kildare Village, one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping^® Villages by Value Retail, is committed to presenting Ireland as an attractive destination for the US traveller seeking a premium shopping and cultural experience in Europe.

Tax refunded sales transactions recorded for Q1 2011 indicate that the USA currently ranks as the top tenth visiting nationality across the nine Chic Outlet Shopping^® Villages, with a 15% increase in the number of transactions compared to Q1 2010. Average spend per tax refunded transaction in the Villages generated by visitors from the USA was €336 in Q1 2011, 7.5% higher than the overall average spend in the same period. For Kildare Village specifically, the USA currently ranks as the top fifth visiting nationality, indicating the popularity of Ireland as a destination in Europe for US travellers.

Kildare Village is Ireland's only luxury outlet shopping destination. Here visitors can discover the authentic previous seasons' collections of home-grown Irish and international luxury brands including Louise Kennedy, Juicy Couture, Aquascutum, Furla, Anya Hindmarch, Tommy Hilfiger and Hackett, with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price, all year round. First-class hospitality in the Village includes cafés, restaurants and convenient transport in the form of the Shopping Express, a direct coach service operating from Dublin's city centre.

Kildare Village is located in County Kildare, the region termed 'Dublin's Doorstep' by Fáilte Ireland, the the National Tourism Development Authority for the Republic of Ireland. The Village works with local and international tourism partners in a shared commitment to drive tourism footfall to a region that offers visitors opportunities to experience the best of Irish culture and hospitality. Visitors to the area can also choose from world-class hotels, such as The K Club Golf and Spa Resort, host to the 2006 Ryder Cup; horse-racing at the Curragh, home to the Irish Derby; and the famed Irish National Stud with its breathtaking Japanese Gardens - all just 45 minutes from Dublin's city centre.

The arrival of US President Barack Obama to Ireland in May 2011 has thrust Ireland into the spotlight once more, with travel to Ireland becoming more and more accessible to the American tourist. Daily flights from the USA to Dublin are now operated by Aer Lingus, Continental, Delta, and US Airways from cities that include New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, with US Airways introducing an additional route from Charlotte in North Carolina for the summer season.

Frommer's, the legendary travel guide, has listed Ireland as the top tourism destination in the world to visit in 2011, as voted by its readers, and there is no better time to visit Ireland than this Summer as Kildare Village celebrates its 5^th anniversary with the "Summertime Festival" to be launched on 1^st July by American television personality and fashion designer, Whitney Port. The festival will feature a four-week programme of cultural events in the Village throughout the month of July. Live music, street theatre and an opportunity to sample some of the best Irish artisan food, courtesy of Good Food Ireland, will be just some of the entertainment. Visitors too, can follow in the footsteps of President Barak Obama by trying to find their 'missing apostrophe', with free genealogy sessions on offer, organised by the Irish Family History Foundation and RootsIreland.ie.

"The Summertime Festival at Kildare Village is about building on our great day-out offer and providing visitors with a truly memorable experience. It is a unique mix of shopping, entertainment and tourism so there's something for everyone."

Maria McGovern - Retail & Marketing Director, Kildare Village

The Summertime Festival at Kildare Village is a superb reason for travellers from the USA to visit the region of County Kildare, and discover the wonders of the glorious Emerald Isle this summer. For more information, visit http://www.KildareVillage.com/summertimefestival. Planning your visit to the Chic Outlet Shopping^® Villages couldn't be easier - simply visit http://www.ChicOutletShopping.com/planyourvisit.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Value Retail PLC