LEFT: Stephen Cotter, Managing Director of CIE Tours with Sabine Wycisk, Sheraton Athlone Hotel and RIGHT: Timmy Donovan and Declan Delaney, Sean’s BarTwo Athlone tourism businesses honoured at CIÉ Tours awardsTwo Athlone tourism businesses were honoured at the CIÉ Tours Annual Awards of Excellence. CIÉ Tours, the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland every year, recently held its annual awards of excellence to celebrate Irish hoteliers and tourist experience operators who have been singled out by the 30,000 visitors who came to Ireland with CIÉ Tours in 2025. “These awards are a testament to the high standards of quality that each operator holds and is a well-deserved recognition of their work in welcoming CIÉ Tours visitors to Ireland, providing them with unique and unrivalled experiences”. Aidan Murphy, Chairman, CIÉ Tours, said: “CIÉ Tours has been playing a leading role in promoting Ireland as a tourist destination for almost 95 years and continues to perform at a high level on the international stage which has had a significant impact on the Irish economy. As a market leader in the USA, one of the most competitive markets in the world, CIÉ Tours has helped to increase the number of U.S. visitors to Ireland, who contribute to 31% of visitor spend, which amounted to €1.87 billion in 2024.”Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours, said; “2025 was another landmark year for CIÉ Tours, when we booked over 250,000 bed nights throughout Ireland.

Source: Irish Independent February 09, 2026 23:24 UTC