Inaugural Tourism Development Forum Meeting held in North West
19/10/2010
Pictured (back l-r): Damian Devaney; Paul Hannigan; Gerard Moore; Shaun Quinn; and Hubert Kearns; Seated: Paul McLoone; Bernie Butler, Forum Chairperson, Mary McKeon; and Deirdre McGlone
Inaugural Tourism Development Forum Meeting held in North West
‘Fáilte NorthWest’ meets to begin poviding a renewed focus and direction for tourism growth in the North West
‘Fáilte NorthWest’ the new tourism forum responsible for spearheading and overseeing a new three-year development plan for tourism in the north west region, met this week for their inaugural meeting in Harvey’s Point Hotel, Co Donegal.
The meeting was presided by the Forum Chairperson, well known local business woman Bernie Butler, Managing Director with the Good 4U food company, and the group welcomed the attendance of Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, and Fáilte Ireland Directors Aidan Pender (Strategic Management) and Paul Keeley (Enterprise Development).
Fáilte North West was established last July at what is a very challenging time for tourism in the region. Tourist numbers from abroad had fallen and dependence on local tourism had increased as a result.
A key aim of the Forum is to identify and implement a range of measures designed to boost overseas visitors to the region. The Forum is also expected to have a significant role in influencing national tourism policy as it affects the Region.
Commenting on this week’s meeting, Paul McLoone, Head of Operations with Fáilte Ireland in the North West, stressed:
“In challenging times it is great to see members of the tourism industry, business interests, local authority and Fáilte Ireland working together with the common goal of developing tourism for the Region.
This week’s meeting was very successful and it is the hope, and purpose, of ‘Fáilte North West’ to provide a renewed focus on how we can develop tourism in the region over the next three years. I am delighted to be a part of it and am confident that it will result in a very valuable contribution to tourism in all the counties in our region.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Karolett Mulligan, Fáilte Ireland North West
071 9194200
Note for editor
Failte North West replaces the former North West Regional Tourism Development Board. Its membership is drawn from the tourism industry, business interests, the relevant Local Authorities and Failte Ireland.
Fáilte North West will be chaired by Bernie Butler, Managing Director with the Good 4U food company. The other members of the forum are:
- Damian Devaney, Marketing Director with 02 Ireland;
- Paul Hannigan, Director, Letterkenny Institute of Technology;
- Hubert Kearns, Sligo County Manager;
- Loretto McEniff, Mt Errigal Hotel, McEniff Hotel Group;
- Deirdre McGlone, Harvey’s Point Hotel, Lough Eske, Co. Donegal;
- Mary McKeon, Tourism and Business Consultant;
- Gerard Moore, General Manager, Sligo Park Hotel;
- Seamus Neely, Donegal County Manager;
- John O’Connell, Atlantic Aparthotel, Bundoran;
- Paul McLoone, Head of Operations with Fáilte Ireland in the North West;
- Cllr Gerry Reynolds, member Leitrim County council and local businessman.
ENDS
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