Over 400 international travel creators visited Donegal last week as part of the TBEX conference, generating significant economic and promotional benefits that will have a lasting impact on tourism in the county as well as amassing a social media reach of over 3.7 million people while the event was taking place.
Content creators at Grianan of Aileach
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Paul Canning said that "we are incredibly proud to have hosted this event and to have had the opportunity to show all our guests the very best of our stunning county.
"The presence of the world's travel creators here is a testament to the beauty, culture, and spirit of Donegal. We are confident that their experiences and the content they create will inspire countless future visitors to come and discover our rugged coastline, our rich history, and our vibrant community. “The long-term promotional value is considered immeasurable. The digital footprint left by the attendees, including blog posts, videos, and social media content, will continue to elevate Donegal's profile for years to come.”
Cathaoirleach Paul Canning opening the event at ATU Letterkenny
The conference, which took place in the ATU in Letterkenny on the 11
th and 12
th September, also included two days of fam visits or PreBex tours as well as coinciding with the annual #LoveDonegal day on Wednesday 10
th. Content creators participated in over 30 tours to various parts of Donegal providing an unparalleled platform for showcasing Donegal's unique attractions to a combined global audience of millions. Attendees were immersed in authentic local experiences, from historical tours and sea adventures to cultural workshops, leading to a wealth of compelling and trustworthy content.
One of the PreBex groups at Wild Alpaca Way, Malin Head
Conference organisers were supported by Donegal County Council’s Tourism team and the Council’s Chief Executive John G. McLaughlin, also chair of Donegal Tourism CLG, said that the direct economic benefits were notable, in local accommodation and a boost in spending on dining, retail, and transportation.
"TBEX Europe was made possible because of the huge support from our local tourism businesses and sponsors, and it brought a significant spotlight on all areas of Donegal, and the value of the content being created and shared across social media and blog posts is immeasurable.This event has laid a strong foundation for future growth by positioning Donegal as a premier international tourism destination. We look forward to continuing to work with the travel creator community to leverage this success."
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About TBEX: TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) is the largest conference and community of travel creators and professionals in the world. It provides a platform for travel creators to connect with destinations, brands, and industry peers to collaborate and share knowledge.