An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, officially launches The Gathering Ireland 2013

Businesses, clubs and organisations from right across the country were urged to get involved in The Gathering Ireland 2013 today as it was officially launched by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

The Gathering 2013 aims to be the biggest tourism event ever held in Ireland by enticing Ireland’s 70m global diaspora to come home to Ireland in 2013.

Speaking at Dublin Castle this morning, An Taoiseach emphasised that The Gathering initiative offers us all an opportunity to do something positive for our country in our own unique way.

“It’s all about you, your family, your neighbours, your sports club, your college. Whatever community or group you belong to, we would like you to start planning special events to highlight what is great about that community, and about Ireland.”

The initiative is being led by the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport and driven by a dedicated Gathering team, and Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister of State, Michael Ring also spoke at the launch.

Outlining a series of new festivals and events, being held especially to encourage more visitors to Ireland next year, Minister Varadkar highlighted the positive public response already displayed being by people both at home and abroad. A number of events and gatherings are already in train for 2013 including;

• KPMG will hold an alumni event next year with up to 1,000 delegates attending
• Comhaltas will invite international members to Ireland in 2013 to re-unite musical families for clan sessions;
• Scouting Ireland plan to organise scouting events specially for their 42,000 members and international connections;
• A global Gallagher Clan Gathering in Co. Donegal and a Fitzgerald Clan Gathering are also being planned.

Aside from these events a number of new events have been confirmed for 2013 including a new music festival for 2013, a number of GAA events and a new project from the organisers of Riverdance.

Click to watch the video below to find out what kind of events people are hoping to see in 2013.

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring announced that Gathering Community Meetings will be held around Ireland in the year ahead. Local Gathering organisations are being set up in every county, comprising sporting bodies, cultural and musical organisations, local authorities, and local development companies.

“This is a people’s project. It is extremely important that this initiative is not confined to big cities but is an event that will happen across the country and show off Ireland at its best. Everyone can help by doing something as simple as sending an e-mail or postcard to a relative or friend abroad inviting them to Ireland in 2013” .

Kerry and Waterford County Councils have established dedicated local groups to drive the initiative forward and all local authorities have been also been briefed on The Gathering. A number of companies have also gotten involved with The Gathering including Facebook, Google, KPMG and Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Looking at how the initiative could potentially affect Ireland, Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland has emphasised - 

“The Gathering has the potential to be a real ‘game-changer’ not just for Irish Tourism but also for Ireland as a whole. The real power of the Gathering lies in its ability to leverage the efforts of any Irish citizen, community group or indeed any diaspora member to roll up their sleeves and take an active part in mobilising behind an initiative to support our national recovery. With a fair wind, many of the seeds planted through events and initiatives at local level all around the nation, will bloom into longer term beneficial networks and opportunities for the country.”

Visit www.gatheringireland.com for further information on The Gathering or to find out more about how to get involved.

The online application process for the National Festivals and Participative Events Programme 2013 opened today, Friday 11th May 2012.

The call for applications has gone out earlier than usual this year to allow for programming for The Gathering Ireland 2013 and applicants are encouraged to embrace The Gathering as part of their 2013 festival/event programme.

As part of the National festivals & Participative Events programme 2013, there is limited additional funding available to assist successful applicants who tailor their programme, or specific elements of their programme, around the themes of The Gathering Ireland 2013. 

The application form provides an opportunity to demonstrate how an event can showcase all that is great about Ireland and how it can deliver a unique experience for visitors in 2013. 

Events hoping to be considered for Gathering related funding, applicants must firstly fulfil the requirements for the National Festivals and Participative Events Programme. 

Applications to the programme are invited through the online application process at www.failteireland.ie/festivals.

Celebrity Chef Rachel Allen launches Cool for Kids - Fun for Families Guide

One of Ireland’s favourite celebrity chefs, Rachel Allen, herself a Mum of three, has officially launched Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Cool for Kids, Fun for Family’ guide for Youghal, East Cork and West Waterford at Perks Entertainment Centre, Youghal.  The event was attended by a number of tourism operators from the designated family friendly zones that have joined the Fáilte Ireland project in order to make the area famous for family holidays.

A collaborative project between Fáilte Ireland and local tourism providers, the guide is part of a wider initiative designed to put these designated areas and the wider South West region at the very top of the agenda of the family holiday market. It is hoped that the development of this new family friendly guide will develop Youghal as a key holiday destination for family holidays in the South West of Ireland and ensure visitors to the area of a memorable family experience.

Celebrity Chef, Rachel Allen commented:

“I am delighted to be part of this Fáilte Ireland initiative as Family holidays are a great occasion for each member of the family to relax.  Our modern hectic family lives are full of tensions and stresses. Going on holiday doesn’t have to be far, it doesn’t have to be long, just a time together that can be called a “family holiday”.

All of the holiday providers listed in the guide, from accommodation and attractions to activity operators, have agreed to participate in the Fáilte Ireland ‘Family Friendly Charter’.  By doing this, they have committed to providing a particularly warm welcome and friendly service to families with children, and to do all they can to make their time in the area as enjoyable and memorable as possible. 

Welcoming this new Family Friendly Brochure, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations for the Southwest, Fiona Buckley, commented:

“This initiative presents a great opportunity to develop the resort, increase visitor numbers and grow revenue for all.  The guiding principle behind the family fun initiative is that all participating tourism operators and their employees make it a priority to deliver a family friendly service, and understand the importance of a positive attitude and an imaginative approach to exceeding expectations of families on holidays.”

Prof Fergal O’Brien and Dr. Danny Kelly who are bidding for the World Biomechanical Engineering Congress in 2018.

Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism Unit will unveil its new targeted advertising campaign to recruit new “conference ambassadors” to help Ireland secure more international conferences at an Industry Briefing Day next Monday 16^th April.

Conferences worth €20.5m already secured for Ireland this year alone with a potential further €93m being pursued

The campaign, centring on a number of current “Ambassadors” from various work backgrounds, urges professionals to consider whether there is a potential major conference in their sphere to be invited here. Those with potential leads are invited to become “Conference Ambassadors” and work with Fáilte Ireland to get their conference to Ireland.

Copies of the adverts can be seen here.

Welcoming the campaign, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring TD said:

“The Government is sending out a clear signal that Ireland is open for business. This new drive for conference ambassadors is part of the same initiative to attract more delegates and more business into Ireland. We all have a part to play in Ireland’s recovery and I would urge everyone with a potential lead or possible prospect to get on board and become a conference ambassador. I’d also like to thank the ambassadors who have already got involved to promote Ireland as a conference destination.”

Today’s campaign coincides with the timely confirmation that Dublin has  secured the hosting of the International Federation of Journalists Conference in 2013 which will attract almost 300 delegates from across the world and a potential economic impact of almost half a million Euro for the local economy.

Welcoming this news Dan Flinter, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland’s Business Tourism Forum said -  

“It is encouraging the see the investment and support that has been afforded to such a worthwhile sector within Irish tourism.  Conferences, such as the International Federation of Journalists, bring much needed delegates and revenue to this country.

“Ireland has always been a good fit for business tourism across all sectors – conferencing, incentive and corporate meetings.  The Ireland Inc approach to securing international conferences continues to be a great success and Fáilte Ireland, the convention bureaux and the Irish trade, are working together to win even more conference business during 2012 and beyond”.

Through the Conference Ambassador Programme, Fáilte Ireland encourages and supports both Irish and international businesses and associations to host their international meetings, conferences and incentive trips here in Ireland.  As part of this programme, a wide range of professional supports are made available to the ambassadors, including financial and practical assistance.

Highlighting the benefits of such a programme, Keith McCormack Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Business Tourism said -

“This scheme is bringing real results – delivering business and benefits to this country’s economic recovery. Since the start of the programme in 2009, our dedicated research team has identified and recruited 314 ‘conference ambassadors’ with the potential to bring in conferences worth millions to the Irish economy. So far, our ambassadors have already netted conferences worth €20m this year. The work is on-going and currently we are financially supporting work towards winning a further 112 conferences which, if realised, will provide a potential €93m boost to the Irish economy”. 

 The national campaign launched today utilises four current conference ambassador profiles and will be running for the next few weeks in targeted newspapers and professional publications.  The profiled ambassadors include –

•  Annette Kennedy – Director of Professional Development with the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO).  The INMO are bidding for the Congress of the International Council of Nurses in 2017.  If the conference is won for Ireland, it will bring 6,500 international delegates, with a potential value of €9.1m to the Irish economy. 
•  
• Prof Fergal O’Brien and Dr. Danny Kelly are bidding for the World Biomechanical Engineering Congress in 2018.  If the conference is won for Ireland, it will bring 3,000+ international delegates, with a potential value of €4.2m to the Irish economy. 
•  
• Ken McManus – International Director for Irish Air Line Pilots Association.  The Irish Air Line Pilots Association is hosting the International Federation of Airlines Pilots’ Associations in 2013. They are expecting 700 International delegates, with a potential value of €1m to the Irish economy.
•  
• Kitty Gallagher – President of the Association of Irish Floral Artists.  The association is hosting World Floral Artists Conference and Exhibition, Dublin, RDS in 2014.  They are expecting 5,000 international attendees, with a potential value of €7m to the Irish economy. 

Fáilte Ireland will be investing €3.7 million in the business tourism sector this year including funding for a wide range of supports available to potential conference ambassadors.  The national tourism development authority will be unveiling its business tourism plans for the year ahead next Monday (16^th April) at its annual “Industry Briefing Day” to be held in the Burlington Hotel where they will also be providing members of the conference industry with an update on its work to encourage large multinational companies to hold their global gatherings in Ireland in 2013 to tie in with the work already taking place for The Gathering Ireland 2013.

Pictured at Fáilte Ireland’s Web Check Conference, held recently at the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin are L to R: Andrew Weld-Moore, Facebook; Linda Sullivan, Druids Glen Hotel; Tony Lenehan, Fáilte Ireland; Victoria Delaney, TripAdvisor and Scott Field, Google.

This year’s Fáilte Ireland e-business conference, entitled “Your Online Focus – Home and Away”, explored how technology and tourism can be brought closer together so that Irish businesses can sell more effectively to the 21st century tourist –  both domestic and overseas. The event took place at the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Stillorgan on Tuesday 3rd April. 

Delegates heard from a number of online experts such as Scott Field from Google who outlined how businesses can make themselves more easily found on Google and the tools that are available to make that happen as well as Andrew Weld-Moore from Facebook who examined the benefits of setting up a business page using social networking sites, such as Facebook, and how tourism businesses can optimise their online presence for both domestic and international consumers.

Victoria Delaney from Trip Advisor discussed the prominence of customer reviews and how tourism and hospitality businesses can most effectively address issues associated with this enormously powerful and popular review platform.  

Click below for Video:

Mr Stephen Dudley, Fáilte Ireland’s E-business Manager, emphasised:

“The majority of travellers now research, plan and book their holidays through the internet with many spending hours visiting a number of websites before making a decision.  An integral part of It is imperative for tourism businesses to engage with new technology and ensure that they online and ready for business.

“We are particularly delighted that this year Trip Advisor took part in the conference.  Tourism businesses today are operating in an environment where one in two travellers base their choice for a trip on other people’s experiences and reviews.  Ensuring that you are up to speed with online reviewing and how to deal with it must be an integral part of a hotel’s day to day activity.”

Fáilte Ireland also presented research based on a survey with 500 hoteliers and discussions with leading online booking engines in the tourism sector.  The findings from the research show that online travel agents are popular with Irish tourism businesses with many using household names such as booking.com, Expedia or lastminute.com to promote their offers in addition to their own site.

Click here for more information on the research findings

Fiona Monaghan, Head of Operations, Fáilte Ireland West with colleagues and local business representatives pictured at the Volvo Activation Workshop

Fáilte Ireland recently kicked off its “Your Volvo – Your Opportunity” mobilisation programme with a Quality, Value and Service Charter ahead of the Volvo Ocean Race finale event which starts in Galway on 30th June.

The Volvo Ocean Race stopover proved a major success for Irish tourism in 2009, generating an estimated economic impact of €55.8m for Galway and Ireland. According to the Economic Impact Report on the stopover, 650,000 visitors were welcomed at the Race Village and Salthill, and an estimated €36.5m was spent by race spectators from outside the local region. The event itself was also broadcast to a global TV audience of 1.3 billion and a radio listenership over 230 million.

The charter initiative, which was officially launched by Mayor of the City of Galway, Hildegarde Naughton, was piloted by Fáilte Ireland in the West region for the 2009 event and proved so successful that it was rolled out by Fáilte Ireland for other subsequent high profile events around the country, including Waterford’s Tall Ships and Clipper in Cork.

With the support of the Irish Hotel Federation (IHF), Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), many Galway businesses have now committed to the Fáilte Ireland charter.

Once compliant, businesses receive a “Volvo Quality Value and Service” Window Sticker and a Customer Charter, which will be prominently displayed at the entrance to their premises. They will also receive Fáilte Ireland Customer Care training which is scheduled to take place in Galway from 14th -18th May, well in time for the event. Participation in the initiative also ensures inclusion of their details in Fáilte Ireland’s online marketing campaign for the festival particularly via the websites www.discoverireland.ie/galway and www.discoverireland.ie/volvo

Speaking at the launch of the Volvo Quality Value and Service Charter, Fiona Monaghan, Head of Operations with Fáilte Ireland in the West emphasised –

“Fáilte Ireland is delighted to be the main sponsor of the Volvo Ocean Race’s return visit to Galway.  This time we are the final stop-off on the race which began in Alicante last November and the world’s media will descend on Galway from June 30th to July 8th.  Today we are launching our ‘Your Volvo – your Opportunity” activation programme to ensure Galway maximises the potential presented by this event and that the city puts its best foot forward in the lead up to and during this prestigious event.  Fáilte Ireland will engage in a comprehensive marketing and publicity programme to support the event both in the local community and nationally to ensure every tourism business has a good opportunity to get a slice of the action during the event”.

Ms Monaghan reiterated that Fáilte Ireland will continue to work closely with local businesses and stakeholder agencies to maximise the tourism potential of the Volvo stopover again, and added –

“With this charter, we are encouraging everyone involved in tourism in Galway – from hotels and guest houses to restaurants, publicans, retail business and transport services – to use the Volvo opportunity and play their part in showcasing Galway and to put their best foot forward. We look forward to welcoming the race back to Galway and to working with our local industry partners in ensuring it is a major success”. 

Catherine Fulvio of Ballyknocken House Doing Business with an Italian Tour Operator at Meitheal 2011

MEITHEAL 2012 – TUESDAY 17th & WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL 

Now in its 37th year, Meitheal is one of the most important dates in the Irish tourism calendar, allowing tourism businesses to showcase some of the most compelling and attractive experiences Ireland has to offer.

Over two days 16,456 scheduled appointments will take place between 420 Irish trade members and 310 of the top tourism representatives from across the globe.   18 countries will be represented. They include: Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, USA, Brazil, Australia, Britain and Poland.

This year, Meitheal 2012 looks set to be a particularly interesting event as, along with exhibiting the best of Irish hospitality and entertainment, Fáilte Ireland will also be introducing The Gathering 2013, which will be showcased at the Meitheal dinner.

Fáilte Ireland has organised a number of familiarisation trips for overseas operators taking part in Meitheal this year, offering them a unique opportunity to sample the sights and sounds that Ireland has to offer their customers. These trips play an important part in showcasing Ireland as an iconic and contemporary destination and provide the visiting operators with an authentic flavour of what Ireland can offer.

ANNUAL BUSINESS TOURISM INDUSTRY BRIEFING – MONDAY 16th APRIL

Fáilte Ireland will announce details of its business tourism plans for the year ahead next Monday (16th April) at its annual ‘Industry Briefing Day’ to be held in the Burlington Hotel.

Fáilte Ireland will be investing €3.7 million in the business tourism sector this year including funding for a wide range of supports available to potential conference ambassadors. 

As part of the Briefing Day, the Business Tourism Team will update members of the business tourism industry on its work to encourage large multinational companies to hold their global gatherings in Ireland in 2013 to tie in with the work already taking place for The Gathering Ireland 2013.

Business tourism is an area of strategic importance for Fáilte Ireland. The Business Tourism unit is dedicated to positioning Ireland as a leading destination for conferences, corporate meetings and incentive travel. Its Conference Ambassador programme facilitates individuals from a wide variety of professions and backgrounds in their quest to bring their next international Conference to Ireland. Practical and financial support is provided to Conference Ambassadors and international planners to ensure every association conference won for Ireland exceeds all expectations.

Fáilte Ireland e-business conference will take place at the Clarion Hotel, Sligo on Tuesday 24th April

Fáilte Ireland’s annual e-business conference event will take place at the Clarion Hotel, Sligo on Tuesday 24^th April from 8.00am. This year’s conference, entitled “Your Online Focus – Home and Away”, will explore how technology and tourism can be brought closer together so that tourism businesses in the North West can sell more effectively to the 21^st century tourist both domestic and overseas.

 The internet is the most important factor for almost half of those overseas travellers who decide to visit Ireland with seven out of ten relying on the web to plan their visit here.

 Delegates will hear from a number of online experts such as Scott Field, Google who will outline how businesses can make themselves more easily found on Google and the tools that are available to make that happen.

 Andrew Weld-Moore, Facebook will examine the benefits of setting up a business page using social networking sites, such as Facebook, and how tourism businesses can optimise their online presence for both domestic and international consumers.

 Allister McGregor, Trip Advisor will also be present at the conference to discuss the prominence of customer reviews and how tourism and hospitality businesses can most effectively address issues associated with this enormously powerful and popular review platform.  

 Breakout sessions including an open house workshop will also take place during the day which will enable attendees to meet with the presenters and discuss their offerings on a one to one basis.

 Looking forward to the conference, Mr Stephen Dudley, Fáilte Ireland’s E-business Manager, emphasised:

 “The majority of travellers now research, plan and book their holidays through the internet with many spending hours visiting a number of websites before making a decision.  It is imperative for tourism businesses to engage with new technology and ensure that they online and ready for business. We are particularly delighted that this year Trip Advisor is taking part in the conference.  Ensuring that you are up to speed with online reviewing and how to deal with it must be an integral part of a tourism business’ day to day activity.

Click here for more: Web Check Conference North West 

Whether the sunny spell remains or not, there’s plenty to do in the North West this summer. Read on to find out what’s on when. For further details on the following and for information on all other festivals in the North West please visit DiscoverIreland.ie

North West Festival Highlights 

Extreme North, Inishowen, Co Donegal. 10th March, 20th May, 30th – 2nd August & 29th Sept

An Post Tour of Sligo, 5^th & 6th May

Só Sligo Food and Culture Festival – 18th –  20th May

Donegal Live, Donegal Town, 25th – 27th May

North West Garden Show 26th – 27th May

Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival, Ballyshannon, 31st May -3rd June

Yeats Birthday Celebration Sligo 13th June

Donegal International Rally 15-17th June

An Tostal – 24th May – 5^th June

Rosses Point Shanty & Seafaring Festival 15th –  17th  June, 2012

Gaelforce North, 23rd June

Celtic Fringe Festival, Grange Village, Co Sligo 21st-24th June

Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival, Bundoran 29th June – 1st July

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD presents the CIE Award for Excellence to Vikki Keys of Kee's Hotel, Stronorlar, Co. Donegal

Tourism businesses in the North West have been sweeping the boards at national awards ceremonies.

Below are some highlights:

Strandhill Lodge and Suites, Strandhill, Co. Sligo have catapulted themselves into the Top 3 Travellers Choice hotels in 2012 on Trip Advisor. 

Patricia Corrigan of The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim who won the major accolade of Wedding Coordinator of the Year 2009. 

Castle Murray House Hotel and Restaurant, Dunkineely, Co. Donegal has won the BIM Seafood Circle Hospitality Award for “Best Customer Service 2012” .

Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal wins the prestigious CIE Award of Excellence for the eleventh time in twelve years. 

For the second year running, Donegal’s Slieve League Centre, Teelin, Co. Donegal has won the CIE Gold Award of Overall Excellence for Best Visit in Ireland, voted for by clients of CIE Tours International.

WeddingsOnline Award Winners 2012: 

Harvey’s Point Hotel, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal – Overall Wedding Venue of the Year

Solis Lough Eske Castle, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal:

Wedding Venue Co-Ordinator of the Year, Noreen Lyons

AND

Wedding Venue of the Year (Castle Category)

The Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim – Wedding Venue of the Year (Connaught Hotels Category)

Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal – Wedding Venue of the Year  (Ulster )

Patricia Corrigan of the Landmark Hotel Pictured at the Weddings Online Awards with Ken Fitzpatrick and Jackie Lavin