1. What is a Visitor Attraction?
A visitor attraction is a permanently established site, with a primary purpose of which is to allow access for tourism, whether this occurs for the purpose of entertainment, interest or education; rather than being primarily a retail outlet or a venue for sporting, theatrical, or film performance. It must be open to the public, for published periods of the year and should be capable of attracting tourists, day visitors and local residents.
In practice, it must be operated as a visitor attraction, rather than merely being accessible to the public. Operation as a visitor attraction may include guides based on site (even if only seasonally); staffed visitor facilities including toilets, ticket sales, exhibition space. Interpretation panels on site with no further visitor management is not sufficient to be considered a visitor attraction
2. What is the objective of the EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme?
The programme is designed to support businesses in developing their business capability for success and to support individual applicants transitioning to a career in tourism, previously employed by ESB Networks involved in ESB generation with fossil fuels, or Bord na Móna peat production. The programme aims to grow and future proof sustainable tourism development in the Just Transition territory, by providing access to a fully funded learning and business development programme to build business capability and professional skills.
3. Are cafés and public houses classed as tourism enterprises?
Under this Scheme standalone cafes and public houses except those that provide a visitor experience (and can be defined as an attraction) are not defined as tourism enterprises.
4. Who is the EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme for?
It is for eligible applicants in the EU Just Transition territory who are:
• Starting a tourism business
• Expanding a current tourism business
• Managing or working in a not-for-profit enterprise, charity, community or social enterprise involved or servicing tourism and/or visitors
• Sole Traders
• Employees of strategic partner organisations involved in infrastructure, recreation and maintaining public realm for tourists.
• Previous employees of ESB Networks or Bord na Móna, involved in electricity production or peat harvesting, planning a new career in tourism.
5. Do I have to be an applicant for Scheme A, B, C or D to apply to Scheme F?
No, you do not need to be an applicant of other schemes to participate in the Learning Network.
6. What is the duration and time commitment involved for the Learning Network Programme?
The programme is designed to be accessed over 18 months (depending on the depth and breadth of your chosen learning pathway).
Participants will have access to a simple diagnostic tool, to establish what interventions will best suit their needs. We ask that participants commit to:
• Attend the in-person Programme Launch event
• Participate in a minimum 2 face-to-face in-person learning days over the 18 months
• Engage with a minimum 3 online learning modules over 18 months
• Be proactive in networking with fellow participants
7. What does the Learning Network Programme include and what can I expect from the programme?
The programme’s core objective is building participants’ capability in sustainable and inclusive tourism to support and future proof sustainable development in the Just Transition territory.
• It is designed to provide a blend of flexible learning opportunities for busy professionals using a range of formats including in person face-to-face inspirational events involving key insights and best practice case studies; peer to peer learning and online discussion forums; live interactive applied learning courses and seminars alongside self-paced micro learning modules and tools from the selection of 5 learning pillars:
1. Understanding Tourism
2. Business for growth
3. Digital and Technology
4. Accessible and Inclusion
5. Sustainability
• Participants must be prepared to commit to circa 20 hours of structured learning over the 18 months of the programme. An additional 30 hours of self-development and application of learning is also advised (resulting in circa 50 hours of professional development in total).
• If you wish to access Programme certification you can expect to commit circa 40 hours of structured learning and allowing about 50 hours to implement the learning to your business, job, or career.
8. If I am a tourism business owner/manager, can staff participate in the learning content?
Yes, once you are deemed eligible, you will have the opportunity to discuss the training courses and capability supports content with your staff team.
Participants can nominate and refer team members to access various training courses, learning content and tools, so you optimise the capability building across your wider staff team.
9. How do I apply for the programme and when will I hear if I have been accepted?
Complete the Application Form for the EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme opening September 12th 2024. The closing date for application is 12 noon on October 17th. If you require any further information, please contact
justtransition@failteireland.ie.
The programme is designed specifically to support upskilling and learning for businesses and individuals working in or entering tourism careers in Just Transition territory.
As part of the Programme, you will:
• Have access to best-in-class insights, expertise and knowledge giving you the confidence to develop your tourism business.
• Expand your understanding and application of the latest domestic and international tourism visitor needs and motivations, to develop tourism in your locality.
• Grow your understanding and capability in critical areas designed to future proof tourism development such as: sustainable tourism practices; accessible and inclusive tourism for all; building greater digital and online sales and marketing capability to become a business leader in your field in terms of best-in-class tourism development which supports sustainable business growth for the long term.
• Avail of the opportunity for collaboration and shared experience through peer-to-peer learning with fellow participants to share experiences and good practice in developing your business or your career in tourism.
• Realise the opportunity to gain a certificate of achievement on the programme for your business or career and future access to Fáilte Ireland’s marketing promotions to visitors.
11. How can the Learning Network Programme help me if I’m planning a new tourism business?
If you are new to running a business and want to fast track your learning journey in developing your business plan, managing finances and budgets while developing sales and effective marketing strategies for new start-ups, our programme has all the tools and guidance you need in your early years of business start-up and development.
While some new tourism business owners may already have experience in the world of business and finance, moving into the tourism sector requires you to develop an in-depth understanding of the marketplace including routes to market, sales channels and having the latest insights on the needs and motivations of visitors.
12. How can the Programme support me if I’m transitioning from a career in peat harvesting?
For those individuals transitioning to tourism as a career for the first time, our programme offers valuable insights into the world of work and how best to prepare and access new opportunities for rewarding careers in tourism and hospitality.
Depending on your areas of interest it will support you build your professional skills in areas like digital and marketing, people management and HR, sales, finance, developing your expertise in accessibility and universal design, in addition to environmental sustainability & climate action - skill areas that are key to future proofing tourism for the future.
You will also have opportunities to network with tourism owners and employers to inform your career choices and enhance your awareness and access to future career opportunities.
13. If accepted on the programme, how will I know what areas of capability to focus on?
To support you and help guide your selection of learning areas, from among the
5 Programme learning pillars, you will have access to a tailored online Learning Needs Diagnostic tool.
You will also have an opportunity to access a 1-2-1 consultation clinic with a member of the Programme team to further inform and guide your final learning pathway in terms of selection of learning pillars, courses, and events.
Throughout the course of the programme, based on your learning pathway, you will have ongoing access to the programme team to advise and steer you further about your further learning development options.
14. Who can I speak to access further information about the Learning Network Programme?
Should you wish to speak to a member of the Just Transition Tourism Learning Network Programme, simply contact us at:
customersupport@failteireland.ie with details of your queries and a member of our Just Transition programme engagement team will contact you.