A major workshop for all Connemara tourism stakeholders will be held next Monday in Kylemore Abbey.
Hosted by Fáilte Ireland and promoted by the newly-formed Connemara Wild at Heart steering group, a key element of the day is to help tourism providers to join forces in providing bundled packages for visitors.
Themed and bundled experiences are considered a top priority by the new group in an effort to attract both domestic and foreign visitors to the West.
It is hoped that if three or more tourism providers join forces, they can offer a range of outdoor activities, and heritage and culture offers that can be sold by all in Connemara via their websites and general promotional material. They will also be promoted by Fáilte Ireland within the domestic market, and by Tourism Ireland in the main overseas markets, including Great Britain, France, Germany and North America.
Fáilte Ireland and a range of public, private and community sector tourism and business stakeholders from Connemara have been working together since May 2010 to progress the development and marketing of the area. It was through this the voluntary Connemara Wild at Heart steering group was established, chaired by George Finnegan.
This group has developed a Destination Development Plan to help Connemara’s tourism industry sectors to grow and prosper. The key aim is to achieve a consistently busy world-class leisure destination through the ‘Wild at Heart’ Connemara brand.
The Destination Development Plan includes a range of actions and these are divided into:
• Product and infrastructure
• Heritage and culture
• Festivals and events
• Research, education and training
• Marketing
The workshop begins at 10.30am in Kylemore Abbey. Fáilte Ireland’s Brian Quinn will begin proceedings, while Fiona Candon of First Western will conduct the packaging and bundling workshop, which includes the steps to take to bring packages/bundles together; Discover Ireland’s requirements, and national and international examples of good practice.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for all interested tourism providers to meet other businesses.
To register for this workshop or for further information please e-mail [email protected] or telephone 071 91 65739.
