Established in 1975, Meitheal is Fáilte Ireland's flagship trade event, delivered in partnership with Tourism Ireland. It is a two-day, in-person workshop that brings together the Irish tourism industry and international tourism buyers, enabling Irish tourism businesses to showcase the very best of Ireland to leading international buyers.
 

Meitheal 2025 highlighted Ireland's leadership in sustainable tourism. Hosted in Killarney - ranked #12 globally on the 2025 Global Destination Sustainability Index - the event demonstrated how business events and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. As a government-appointed SDG Ambassador, Fáilte Ireland continues to champion sustainable tourism at all levels, reinforcing Ireland's commitment to sustainability in its National Tourism Policy Framework 2025–2030. Organised by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Advantage Event Partners, Meitheal welcomed 380 Irish businesses and 255 international buyers, enabling over 10,000 meetings. Sustainability was a core focus, with initiatives in carbon-conscious travel, food waste reduction, and community engagement.
 

Meitheal 2025 had a significant environmental impact and below are some of the key highlights and outcomes:

• Meitheal's Sustainability Policy was launched, outlining 10 commitments aligned with 7 priority UN SDGs in the Business Events 2030 Strategy here.

• EarthCheck Benchmarking to assess environmental and social impact.

• Delegates used coach transport - cutting emissions by 4.5x compared to flights.

• Utilising a carbon calculator, the carbon footprint per delegate was measured across food, travel and accommodation, aiming for continuous improvements.

• International buyers engaged with Irish businesses participating in Fáilte Ireland's Climate Action Programme, a subsidised initiative that helps businesses reduce their environmental impact, and for the first time there was a Climate Action Stand at Meitheal.

• 75% of food was sourced locally and delegates pre-ordered food, reducing food wastage.

• Venues used at Meitheal including The Europe Hotel, The Brehon Hotel and The Gleneagle Hotel are committed to sustainable event practices.

• Familiarisation trip itineraries for buyers prioritised health, wellbeing and sustainability, with outdoor elements and walking being promoted.

• Water refill stations and reduced paper/merchandise encouraged low-waste participation.

 

Meitheal 2025 had a significant social impact and below are some of the key highlights and outcomes:

Meitheal 2025 went beyond environmental sustainability by focusing on the social impact of the event. Students from Killarney Community College were invited to take part in interactive sessions including a behind-the-scenes sustainability tour and a workshop on sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity at business events. The diverse career pathways in the tourism sector were highlighted, and insights were captured from a younger, more neurodiverse aware audience. Using an AI transcription app and reusable whiteboards, the experience was both educational and environmentally friendly, reinforcing the idea that sustainable tourism must also be socially inclusive and future-focused.

Meitheal 2025 showcased leadership in sustainable event practices - where reducing the environmental footprint was matched by a strong commitment to increasing the positive handprint. The Business Events Sustainability and Social Impact team at Fáilte Ireland were committed to ensuring that every aspect of the event - from travel and food to venue choice and community engagement – left a lasting positive impact on the destination
Sally Ann O'Brien, Business Events Manager