We’ve started working with some clients in the hospitality sector and it has got us thinking about what tourists can expect of Ireland in 2014.

In the wake of The Gathering, there certainly appears to be an upsurge of confidence in the tourism sector, with independent researchers indicating that the project delivered 250-275,000 overseas visitors in 2013. According to the website, 5,000 gatherings were held in honour of returning friends, loved ones and connections from around the world. The initiative is reported to have generated double digit growth in the number of US tourists visiting our shores and around €170 million in revenue.

So, where does that leave us for the coming year? Well, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar is determined to build on this success for 2014 and the focus now is to empower local authorities to lead community tourism initiatives in each area.

The launch of Destination Dublin hopes to grow tourism in the captial and enhance tourists’ experience of the city. The initiative was launched in direct response to feedback from tourists who found the city dull.

And developments like the Wild Atlantic Way, due for launch in March 2014, are certainly on the right track.