As part of the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Learning Networks Initiative, local businesses are currently working together to help meet the challenges of 2009 primarily through two networks, one centred on spiritual tourism and the other catering for outdoor adventure.
Fáilte Ireland has recently developed outdoor adventure hubs in Connemara, Achill, Westport, and Ballina with the aim of establishing the region as an outdoor and adventure playground. The recently produced Spiritual Heritage Tourism Strategy will support the region in developing and promoting the great wealth of heritage and religious sites and attractions available. Furthermore, Fáilte Ireland in the west and northwest regions is currently involved in a major European project on spiritual tourism with groups from Spain, Portugal, and northern France.
Local network participant, Brian Crowley from Knock House Hotel, said: “We are really looking forward to learning from someone like Paul who knows what it is like to be a small tourism business. The potential now for us to work together has never been so important and Paul’s insights into the critical success factors for achieving this are something that we will value greatly.”
Further information on the tourism learning networks and the application process for this year’s programme is available at www.tourismlearningnetworks.ie
