COVID-19 and business tourism in Ireland
As countries around the world take their first cautious steps on the road back from COVID-19, planning for international business tourism activity is cautiously resuming. Our focus here in Ireland is firmly on making meetings, events, conferences and incentives in this country as safe as possible; below, we'll keep you fully up-to-date with everything you need to know about reopening guidelines and progress here.
Travelling to Ireland
New travel measures require that everyone travelling into Ireland needs a negative or 'not detected' COVID-19 test:
- If you do not have a Digital COVID Certificate based on vaccination or recovery, you have to show a negative ('not detected') RT-PCR test which was carried out no more than 72 hours before you arrive in Ireland
- If you have proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, you have to show a negative ('not detected') antigen test which was carried out no more than 48 hours before you arrive in Ireland. Alternatively, you can show a negative ('not detected') RT-PCR test which was carried out no more than 72 hours before you arrive
Please note, antigen tests have to be carried out by approved professionals - you cannot test yourself.
Please click here to read more about the exemptions, proof of vaccination needed, the approved vaccines or what to do when receiving a persistently positive RT-PCR test after recovery.
Scheduled States
Additional obligations now apply to those arriving from scheduled States.
Current advice is to avoid all non-essential travel to or from scheduled States.
In response to cases of the new variant SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron), Ireland discourages travel to and from a number of scheduled States. Click here to find out more.
All passengers arriving into Ireland from overseas are currently obliged to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form before entry. For further details please see the Irish Government Advice Page.
Ireland’s national airline, Aer Lingus, has outlined important new measures and travel tips that will be in place to ensure passengers health safety when travelling to Ireland from abroad. These include enhanced air cleaning systems on all aircraft, air filtration technology and mandatory face coverings.
Stay up-to-date with the latest travel guidelines from the HSE and access the latest travel guidelines from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Latest figures as of December 6th 2021
Safety Charter
Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, has launched a new COVID-19 Safety Charter designed to promote the new and robust safety measures undertaken by tourism businesses around Ireland and instil public confidence in the safety of these premises when they are allowed to re-open. The Charter highlights Ireland’s focus on public health and confirms to event planners and visitors that businesses have committed to adhering to the correct safety measures and hygiene protocols.
As Meet in Ireland's trusted industry partners prepare to welcome business tourists back to Ireland, over 70 business tourism businesses have registered with the system. Destination Management Companies (DMCs) are proud to be compliant with the Safety Charter protocols, ensuring the protection of organisers and delegates. Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) have also committed to the Safety Charter as they assist planners with queries on staging their MICE activities in Ireland
Destination Ireland support
Fáilte Ireland has developed specific guidelines for the business tourism industry [pdf, 1.15MB].
During these times, Fáilte Ireland is offering financial support to help you bring delegates to Ireland when it is safe to do so. Find out more about the supports available for corporate meetings, incentive programmes and association conferences or book a one-on-one chat with a Meet in Ireland team member by filling out our contact form.
Further links
Ireland’s approach has been and will remain one of safety first, with public welfare the number one priority of the tourism industry and Government.
For official advice and news on Ireland and COVID-19, visit Gov.ie, the central government information portal. For advice on staying safe during the health crisis and to find out more about the services available in Ireland, please visit Ireland's Health Service Executive.