Fáilte Ireland board meets in Waterford

Chairman Assures Local Tourism Interests of Support during Challenging Times Ahead

Mr Redmond O’Donoghue, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, emphasised that Ireland is still an attractive destination for tourists but that challenges lay ahead.  Mr O’Donoghue was addressing a gathering of local tourism interests and businesses before the Authority’s Board met at the Waterford Institute of Technology. 

However, Mr O’Donoghue added that “in the face of other competing overseas destinations and the economic challenges we face, there is no room for complacency.  In the years ahead, we will need to meet higher visitor expectations with regard to variety, quality, authenticity and value for money.”
 
Mr O’Donoghue pointed out that it was particularly pleasing for him that Fáilte Ireland was holding its November meeting in his own home county of Waterford.  Such meetings, he explained, allowed him and the Members of the board the very valuable opportunity to meet  the representatives of the tourism industry in the South East Region and to hear their concerns and to discuss plans for Fáilte Ireland’s continued support and development of the tourism industry in the coming challenging times.
 
As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland plays a critically important strategic role in all aspects of tourism development.  The Chairman stressed that recent developments in the South East show, in microcosm, the positive impact that the services and supports provided to the industry can have on the development of tourism.

He pointed to, for example, the Fáilte Ireland Family Fun Destination Management Programme which was piloted in Dunmore East, Tramore and the Hook Peninsula.  This innovative programme involves a combination of investment, hospitality and innovation training and workshops, and a new Hospitality Charter.  It exploits the South East’s natural coastal resources and resorts as a particular selling point to parents and children.
 
Continuing, Mr O’Donoghue said –
 
“The South East is also blessed with great golfing facilities and we were delighted recently to launch the Crystal County Golf Circuit – which promotes nine golf clubs in Waterford and highlights this asset. 
 
We’ve also tried to promote the South East as a short-break destination for international visitors to Dublin.  Many visitors come to Dublin for a city break, unaware of the attractions a short way down the road in this Region.  To capitalise on the potential presented by these tourists, we’ve established a new initiative - Break from Dublin – promoting day-trips and overnights in the South East to visitors to Dublin.” 
 
One of the key ways Fáilte Ireland tries to contribute to the development of tourism is by encouraging tourism enterprises to work together and so provide a more complete tourism experience – made up of places to stay, places to eat, and things to see and do.  There is a very good example of this approach in the South East – the South East Explorer group.  This is a cooperative marketing group of six attractions spread across Waterford and Wexford - Waterford Crystal, Waterford Museum of Treasures, Lismore Heritage Centre, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Irish National Heritage park and the Hook Lighthouse – which have banded together to work together to attract visitors.  In 2009, it is planned to expand this throughout all the five counties of the Region so that the original group of six will expand to fifteen.
 
Looking at the broader tourism landscape, Mr O’Donoghue reflected on the challenges posed by the difficulties in the Irish and international economies.
 
“In the face of other competing overseas destinations and the economic challenges we face, there is no room for complacency.  In the years ahead, we will need to meet higher visitor expectations with regard to variety, quality, authenticity and value for money.
 
Fáilte Ireland will assist you in meeting such expectations.  Indeed, it appears that many of you in the industry already know this:  Fáilte Ireland is receiving increasing numbers of requests every day for support and advice in relation to business and enterprise decisions.  This reflects the changing challenges facing tourism:  Fáilte Ireland will not be found wanting in responding to these requests.” 
 
Mr O’Donoghue concluded by paying tribute to the Chairman of the South East Regional Tourism Development Board, Elaine Warren, and its Board members.  He also thanked the local Fáilte Ireland General Manager, Mr Joe Palmer, and his team for all their work.
 
The Fáilte Ireland Authority held their November meeting at the Waterford Institute of Technology where recently Fáilte Ireland has established a brand new state of the art training centre on the campus. 
 

ENDS

Photographs available on request.

For further information please contact:
Louise Tolerton
PR Officer - 086 6086578/01 8847135
 

Note for editor

Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
 
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 320,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.

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