Adventure

Get Out There! Adventure Tourism Forum

The Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism and Sport, Mr Michael Ring T.D., opened the annual Fáilte Ireland Adventure Tourism Forum on Thursday 4th November in Hotel Westport.
 
The latest research shows that the overseas activity sector is worth €830 million and that those interested in activity pursuits spend on average 40% more during their trip than other visitors. Furthermore, Fáilte Ireland believes that there is great potential for Ireland to build on this particular market. Already, Ireland is ranked seventh amongst the top 10 developed countries in the world with the highest adventure tourism potential according to the International Adventure Tourism Development index 2010.
 
The delegates attending the forum heard from a variety of experts, and presentations included information on how other international destinations are investing and developing their outdoor activity experiences, what has worked, but also what has not worked, so that all involved in Ireland can adapt and offer the best experience possible – be that businesses, local authorities and community groups.
 
For more information the following presentations are available for download:

• Great Adventure Destinations – A World View – Chris Doyle (Ppt, 6.8MB)
• Adventure Tourism Development Index 2010 Report (PDF, 2.1MB)
• Destination Cumbria – UK Adventure Capital – Lindsay Gibson (Ppt, 3.6MB)
• The Great Western Greenway – Fiona Monaghan (Ppt, 6MB)
• The Great Western Greenway – Mulranny Park Hotel – Dermot Madigan (PDF, 4.1MB)
• The Great Western Greenway – Electric Escapes – Paul Harmon (PDF, 11MB)
• Destination Success - Lessons from Overseas - Activity & Adventure Ambassadors World Adventure Summit 2011 (PDF, 4MB)
• Ireland Now! – Current Performance and Visitor Trends – Brian Maher (Ppt, 6MB)
• Overseas Markets - North America - Chris Doyle (Ppt, 2.9MB)
• Overseas Markets - A Tour Operator Perspective - Butterfield & Robinson - Lyndsay Owen (PDF, 2MB)
• Overseas Markets - Our Neighbours! Great Britain & Europe - Gary Joyce (PDF, 1.6MB)
• The Unexplored Marine Environment – Simon Berrow (Ppt, 4.8MB)
• The Marine & Countryside Guide – Ken Whelan (PDF, 1.4MB)
• The Marine Tourism Business – Jim Kennedy (Ppt, 6.3MB)
• Tourism Adventure and Activity Workshop 2011 Manual (PDF, 574kb)
• Coarse Angling Report 2011 - Bauer (PDF, 700kb)
• Game Angling Report 2011 - Bauer (PDF, 1.5MB)
• Sea Angling Report 2011 - Bauer (PDF, 700kb)

Tourism Adventure and Activity Forum 2010

The second annual Get Out There, Tourism Adventure and Activity Forum took place on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 November 2010 in the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

Fáilte Ireland was delighted to welcome documentary-maker, adventurer and keynote speaker of the event, Charley Boorman. Charley is best known for his work with Ewan McGregor on the award-winning television documentary series, “The Long Way Round” and “The Long Way Down”, which trace the duo’s motorcycle journeys around the globe from East to West and North to South.

With a host of speakers presenting on a range of different topics from up-to-date consumer research and market insights to international best practice, as well as numerous discussion forums and networking opportunities, the Tourism Adventure and Activity Forum 2010 provided tourism activity providers with the essential tools and information they need to ensure their business is on track for 2011. 

For more information, the following presentations are available to download:

• Tourism Activity and Adventure – Facts & Trends (PDF, 4.3MB)
• What the visitor said about you last summer (PDF, 1.4MB)
• The potential next door (PDF, 1MB)
• The search for activity and adventure (PDF, 2.8MB)
• USA and the world (PDF, 4.1MB)
• Adventure Travel World Summit – Kay Woods (PDF, 478kb)
• Adventure Travel World Summit – Karen Buchanan, Jim Kennedy (PDF, 2.3MB)
• From Maps to Apps – Declan Rice (PDF, 1.8MB)
• From Maps to Apps – Eoin Hogan (PDF, 1.4MB)
• A route to new business – Ruth Andrews (PDF, 253kb)
   

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Background

In 2007, Fáilte Ireland launched an adventure holidays initiative in the areas of Bantry and Killarney. The aim of this ongoing project is to work with local tourism operators to realise the full potential of the area and make it famous for adventure holidays.

The guiding principle behind this initiative is that all participating tourism operators and their employees make it a priority to deliver an outstanding adventure holiday experience, and understand the importance of a positive attitude and an imaginative approach to exceeding expectations. This presents a great opportunity to develop the area, increase visitor numbers and grow revenue for all.

For the pilot project we recruited 70 tourism operators in the two hubs to become programme participants. Throughout 2007 and 2008, we conducted training for all participants; produced a brochure and developed a web presence; conducted an advertising campaign; and supported mystery shopper research.

The feedback to date has been encouraging and indeed a positive learning curve for all involved.

In 2009, we expanded to other areas in the south west and broader west namely in the areas of:

• Bantry
• Killarney
• Dingle
• Ballyhoura
• Clifden/Connemara
• Westport
• Achill
• Sligo

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