Speak to the team
Your Fáilte Ireland team can help you understand the supports available and guide you towards the next step for your business.
Start your tourism business with confidence
Get clear, practical support to help you shape your idea, understand what is involved and take the right first steps.
Foundations for business success
Key steps to set up and plan a tourism business: business planning, financial basics and standards you’ll need to operate.
- Build strong foundations from the startStart with the essentials. Explore the knowledge, skills and practical steps that will help you build a strong, visitor-ready tourism business.
- Understand what is involvedLearn what it takes to start a tourism business, from how the sector works to what visitors expect from a strong experience.
- Know who to go toFind the right support for each stage, from Fáilte Ireland tourism guidance to wider business set-up advice from trusted partners.
- Take your first stepsMove from idea to action with guidance on registering, building your skills, preparing to trade and finding relevant supports.
Get guidance before you take the next step
Start with tourism essentials for business
Tourism essentials for business is a course that introduces Ireland's tourism sector, visitor motivations, and how to position your business.
Targeted business supports
These supports can help you understand the sector, get your business visible and build the skills you need to operate with confidence.
Get listedGet your business listed
Make it easier for visitors and partners to find your business. Learn how to get listed and make sure your business information is clear, accurate and ready to promote.
Find out moreUnderstand your visitors
Use insights into visitor motivations, behaviours and preferences to create tourism experiences that stand out and appeal to your target market.
View courseslearniFI
Build your knowledge through practical, expert-led tourism training. Get access to courses that support business planning, marketing, pricing, sustainability and more.
Courses and training
Build confidence in the areas that matter most at the beginning. These courses can help you understand your market, price your offer, plan your business and communicate clearly with visitors.
Business & FinanceEffectively overseeing budgets
Keep your team on track with five practical techniques for overseeing budgets.
OnlineFree
Sales & MarketingHow to market your product
Understand the three core motivations behind customer purchases and how to apply them.
OnlineFree
Business & FinancePricing your experience
Price your tourism experience with confidence using strategies that communicate your true value.
OnlineFree
Responsible TourismIntroduction to sustainability in tourism
Understand why sustainability is critical to your tourism business and what it means in practice.
OnlineFree
Sales & MarketingCreating an effective digital marketing plan for 2027
Create a clear, practical digital marketing plan for the upcoming year.
2 December 2026OnlineFree
Sales & MarketingBusiness planning for tourism businesses
Business planning workshop helping tourism businesses improve strategy and growth.
3 December 2026OnlineFree
Responsible TourismAccessible and inclusive tourism; what it is and why it matters
Explore the core principles of accessible and inclusive tourism and the value it creates.
OnlineFree
Tools, templates and guides
Use practical tools to move from idea to action
Find Yourself on a Short Break campaign helps you to reach more visitors
See how you can utilise and connect your business to Ireland’s domestic short-break campaign.
People & CultureTourism careers recruitment toolkit
Practical recruitment guidance for tourism and hospitality employers.
Cost Management
Get free expert advice to help manage energy and operating costs.
Champions Programme: Help showcase the best of your local area
Build local knowledge and confidence to help visitors discover more of your destination.
Connect and collaborate
Events and networking can help you meet peers, hear from experienced operators and understand what works in practice. Use these opportunities to build confidence, make connections and stay close to the sector.
