As part of a series of Fáilte Ireland web supports for the industry, a web conference for B&B operators - “Optimise Your B&B Business on the Web” was held at Galway’s Carlton Hotel this week. The conference is the first in a series of targeted supports which Fáilte Ireland is promoting to the B&B industry in the West, as part of a deliberate effort to revitalise the Irish home B&B sector.
Delegates travelled to the conference from the west, north west and mid-west regions, and were provided with tips and techniques from Fáilte Ireland’s Web Supports Team on how to enhance their web presence, both at home and in the overseas market, effectively featuring their product to existing and potential customers as well as the benefits of social media.
Explaining the origins of web conference and other business supports targeting the B&B sector, Eva Dearie of Fáilte Ireland explained that this web conference and the wider business supports programme has been developed as part of FI’s commitment to recognising and continuously improving the quality and standards of B&Bs across the country and supporting the sector to grow their business in 2012 and beyond.
Brenda McTigue, owner of Clareview B&B, Kinvara, who attended Fáilte Ireland’s Web Conference, said “I am delighted with the fresh ideas I took away from the B&B Web Conference organised by Fáilte Ireland, in particular the tips and guidelines given in relation to promoting my business online using search engines, tripadvisor and via social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. I would like to thank the team at Fáilte Ireland West for providing this very enjoyable course and I would encourage other B&B proprietors to register for the upcoming programme of business supports for the sector”
Together with this web conference, Fáilte Ireland has developed a number of fully/partially subsidised business supports programmes and additional aids for the B&B sector. All approved B&B owners are encouraged to register their interest in participating:
Gaining Business Online (Introduction level ) – A course offering essential knowledge about how to market your business online via your website, search engines, booking engines and social media sites. One day each week over three consecutive weeks starts on Wednesday October 3 in Galway, and Tuesday 25th September 25 in Mayo.
Targeting the Overseas Markets – B&B Awareness Event – A one day awareness event on how best to promote B&B businesses in the main overseas markets with introductions to web internationalisation, gaining international business online and more. To be held in Galway City on November 8.
Skills Development Programme for B&B Sector – Three day programme, delivered over three consecutive weeks, consisting of one day workshops. Emphasis on interior design, customer care, information technology, cookery, further development opportunities and an online food hygiene qualification.
New B&B Development DVD - “New Vision in Action” promoting the redevelopment of the B&B brand, tells the unique story of the Irish B&B through the eyes of the operators.
New B&B Irish Ancestry Seekers Categorisation for the Gathering 2013 – Failte Ireland has introduced the new Irish Ancestry Seekers categorisation to the very successful categorisation scheme which got off the ground in 2011.
B&B Industry Communications – A new Irish Homes B&B Trade Newsletter has been designed to keep operators up to date and informed about all these and more Failte Ireland initiatives specific to the sector.
Failte Ireland approved B&B operators who wish to register for upcoming business supports outlined above, can do so, by contacting Letitia Wade in the Fáilte Ireland Galway office on Tel: 091-537751 or by email [email protected]
