In pictures: Donegal businesses do the county proud at CIE Awards of Excellence

 Four Donegal tourism businesses were recognised at CIE Tours Awards of Excellence. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

The Mill Park Hotel received the merit award in the hotel category while Glenveagh Castle & National Park, Slieve League Cliffs Centre and Donegal Castle were recipients of a merit award in the visitor experience category.

Stephen Cotter, Managing Director at CIE Tours International, present a Merit Award to Niamh Gallagher and Kevin Gallagher, Mill Park Hotel, at the CIE Tours Awards which took place in Christ Church. Photos: John Ohle Photography

CIÉ Tours, the largest carrier of US visitors to Ireland every year, held its annual awards of excellence celebrating Irish hoteliers and tourist experience operators who have been singled out by the 30,000 visitors who came to Ireland with CIÉ Tours in 2024.

Now in their 33rd year, and an annual highlight within the tourism industry, each year, the prestigious accolades are awarded based on post-stay feedback received by CIÉ Tours from their customers.

The Mill Park Hotel received the merit award in the hotel category while Glenveagh Castle & National Park, Slieve League Cliffs Centre and Donegal Castle were recipients of a merit award in the visitor experience category.

The CIE Tours Awards of Excellence were presented by Chairman of CIÉ Tours, Aidan Murphy and Stephen Cotter, Managing Director, CIÉ Tours.

Congratulating the attendees, Aidan Murphy said: “Our honorees are exemplary contributors to our 95.4% guest satisfaction rate, and they all deserve recognition for the excellent roles they play in welcoming visitors to Ireland and ensuring they have a memorable experience”.

Speaking at the awards, Stephen Cotter said: “2024 was another landmark year for us, when we booked over 250,000 bed nights throughout Ireland. Our support for tourism destinations is bringing vital revenue to towns and villages across the country. We are delighted to honour these leaders in tourism in Donegal. Each of these businesses play a significant role in the Irish tourism industry while also making important contributions to their local communities in terms of jobs and wealth creation.”

CIÉ Tours is the leading inbound tour operator for North American visitors to Ireland for over 90 years and in that time has brought over 3 million visitors from North America to Ireland.