Growing Tourism in Marine & Coastal Areas - Donegal Marine Tourism Seminar, 8 July 2016

Delivering World-Class Tourism all over the Island of Ireland

A rich and diverse tourism offering exists in Donegal. It's a county with a reputation for delivering world-class tourism services and attracting visitors from all over the Island of Ireland as well as from overseas.

Donegal Marine Tourism seminar Q&A. @donegalcouncil @govisitdonegal pic.twitter.com/YgOimbP2wb

— Cllr. Niamh Kennedy (@kennedyniamhm) July 8, 2016

Inspiration from Marine Tourism Strategy in Scotland

Alan Rankin, Marine Tourism Strategy in Scotland: A Scottish National Tourism Strategy was launched in 2016 (TS2020) - they have set up sectoral strategies linked to this national strategy, business tourism, marine tourism and a national events strategy. They have successfully linked to local and destination strategies to ensure they are all aligned and tracking activities on the coast. Important things to think about are: Where are the saturation points, where are the dips? What areas need development ? 

Having a cohesive strategy should include : 

1. Providing a local & authentic experience; 
2. Improving the customer journey & identifying all touchpoints (planning, digital channels); 
3. Building capabilities to welcome local visitors & tourists at scale (facilities)

#Donegal Marine Tourism Gathering 2016 @CleanCoasts @VisitInishowen @visit_donegal @inishadventures #climbwild pic.twitter.com/FWtNaOnsq1

— Bren Whelan (@wawrockclimbing) July 8, 2016

Sustainable Development, Eco-Tourism & Job Growth in Maritime Communities

Marine tourism projects include a cohesive marine leisure development strategy for the North West, which links Donegal to the maritime regions of Northern Ireland and the West coast of Scotland. The Donegal Marine Tourism seminar detailed many insights and innovation in the development of new marine tourism products and services. It was a fantastic event and each speaker outlined how companies can provide sustainable development, eco-tourism, job growth and the rejuvenation of maritime communities. 

Very jealous indeed! Customer digital marketing #DonegalMarineTourism pic.twitter.com/ozES43p6sU

— DonegalMaps (@DonegalMaps) July 8, 2016

Speakers included Olivia Crossan from An Taisce’s Clean Coast initiative, Joy Harron, Marine Tourism Officer with Donegal Tourism and Adrian Harkin from Inish Adventures. Pre-trip planning is always a vital factor for visitors. Give them all the information they need to increase the value of their experience. During their trip, increasingly important is their digital experience while visiting. Research how do they communicate with their holiday snaps and understand which web channels have most engagement. In addition, maintaining this social relationship afterwards is a great way to gain repeat visits. Give the visitor a platform to speak, to post and to promote your business, for free, through content marketing. 

For more information :
www.malinwaters.com
www.cleancoasts.org
www.donegalcoco.ie/marinetourism/

Tweets about DonegalMarineTourism

Inishowen Tourism- Introduce their Visitor Experience at the Holiday World Shows 2016

By Heidi Woods Tourism Development Officer

The Holiday World Show 2016 is in its 27^th year. It showcases the very best in travel, where to go, what to do, that satisfies the avid explorer, or a restful retreat, family fun, or celebratory tour. A buzzing atmosphere in both Belfast and Dublin kept the girls busy, welcoming the trade and potential visitors to the stand. The team presented the attractions to experience, the variety of accommodation, places to eat, cafes, restaurants and spectacular scenery to view. On Saturday in Dublin, the queues were streaming in to meet the exhibitors. Prize draws featured at most of the stands, this gave us the opportunity to converse with the broad range of potentially interested visitors that may choose Inishowen as their “must see and explore “destination. Prizes were kindly donated by members of Inishowen Tourism to highlight “what’s on offer” here in the Peninsula over the three days in each location. The added attraction of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and specifically Malin Head at the start of the road trip has heightened the interest in potential visitors coming up “North”. Exploring the rugged west coast, from the tip of Donegal has never been more appealing.

Malin Head Marine Tourism Launch

A warm welcome was extended at the launch of The Malin Head tourism project, celebrated at the community centre, Malin Head on Tuesday 16th of June. It was formally opened by Mayor Ciaran Brogan following speeches and brief overview of the project. This projects aim is to develop facilities at Malin Head which is the first designated iconic signature point of The Wild Atlantic Way. Pictured at the site viewing platform were Chairman of Inishowen Tourism, Johnny McGuinness, Interim Marketing Manager, Siobhan Kelly, and Councillor Bernard McGuinness.

REMINDER from Donegal County Council

Deadline for inclusion in the County Donegal Heritage Week Event Guide

Dear All, DEADLINE FOR INCLUSION IN COUNTY DONEGAL 'HERITAGE WEEK' EVENT GUIDE IS THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 26   National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30, 2015.  On-line registration is open at www.heritageweek.ie.  Thanks to all of you who have registered your event(s) already.  The deadline for inclusion in the printed countrywide guide has now passed but the County Donegal Heritage Office will compile the County Donegal ‘Heritage Week' Events Guide again this year.  The information submitted on-line to The Heritage Council will be used to compile the pocket-sized county booklet that has proved so popular in recent years.  In order to have your event included, please ensure that your event is registered on-line on the Heritage Week website by this Friday, June 26. Heritage Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of County Donegal’s built, cultural and natural heritage and to obtain some free publicity for events that you are planning.  This year's theme is Ireland's Industrial and Design Heritage.  If your event can address this theme, then all the better.  Events should be free of charge throughout the week.  Where this is not possible, organisers are asked to offer special concession rates.  I hope that you will organise an event(s) for ‘National Heritage Week’.  Register your event and check the www.heritageweek.ie website to avoid events clashing with one another. If you have any questions regarding ‘Heritage Week’ in County Donegal, please do not hesitate to contact me. With best regards,   Joe Joseph Gallagher Heritage Officer, County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council, Station Island, Lifford, County Donegal Telephone: (074) 917 2576 E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie

Heritage Week 2015 Registration Deadline June 7-2015

This years National Heritage Week takes place from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30, 2015.  In light of this  The Heritage Council will be producing a countrywide programme of events supported by both Fáilte Ireland and Local Authority Heritage Officers.  If you are a community organisation or event organiser you can register your event at www.heritageweek.ie and all events must be registered by Sunday, June 7 in order to be included in the National Heritage Week Event Guide.  For further information please contact Joseph Gallagher (Heritage Officer - Donegal Country Council), Telephone: (074) 917 2576; E-mail: heritage@donegalcoco.ie