Embracing education and tourism development

“Let’s meet the students” Tourism awareness project-  By Heidi Woods Tourism Development Officer

Inishowen Tourism has focused their research and development on the children and teenagers attending schools in Inishowen over the past week. On this occasion a welcome addition to the theme of tourism was combined with education. Charlie McCarron who has been compiling valuable research on a community engagement project kindly invited the Inishowen Tourism team to present to the transitional (TY) students at Crana College, Buncrana. He has been working closely within the community, and it was a pleasure to provide students with some insight on the tourism sector; marketing activities at Inishowen Tourism. This was an opportunity to generate some ideas for their individual/group projects, and share thoughts on their locality. A selection of short videos, a brief overview of the methods we utilise, and a sample of our brochures we print were at hand for the students to browse through during the session. We would like to thank Charlie McCarron, and wish him well with his ongoing research.

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.

Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” - Part Two

Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” - Part Two

 By Heidi Woods – Inishowen Development Officer

 In Part Two of the Know your Region Familiarisation Trips 2015 organised by Failte Ireland, Inishowen Tourism staff, take the opportunity to join other tourism industry counterparts to continue the journey around the County of Donegal.

 Day Trip Two

This is an opportunity to share “what to see and do” when you stay in Donegal.

The second day trip starts from Letterkenny and takes in Signature point two of the Wild Atlantic Way located at Fanad Head. For the purposes of a convenient meeting point to start the day trip, the Mount Errigal Hotel was the designated point for the group of participants to convene; listening to the local representative from Failte Ireland giving an overview of the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way to the tourist industry. A particular update to this section ensued, and in general terms of the project for those that may not have been on the first trip.

As the journey starts in the morning leaving Letterkenny, the first port of call is the town of Ramelton via the R245.This Georgian historic town is situated at the mouth of the Lennon River where it enters the Lough Swilly. This location centralises a world-famous event; The Flight of The Earls from Kinnegar Beach in 1607 .The Heritage Centre in the town also has an impressive exhibition displaying the life and time of the Earls. There are several busy restaurants, pubs, self-catering cottages, shops, craft shops, hair salons, family activities and array of historical antiquities & attractions. Just over the other side of the river is “The Bridge Bar” one of the best music bars in the country.  It has a cosy restaurant with good food, and renowned for its excellent fish.

 

Know Your Region- Part One

Know Your Region- Failte Ireland team up with Tourism Industry providers to “Take a trip on the Wild Atlantic Way” Inishowen Take the Day Trips and share the “Experiences”

 By Heidi Woods – Inishowen Tourism Development Officer

Since the launch of the “Wild Atlantic Way”, a major tourism initiative for the western seaboard in March 2014, interest in the long distance route has superseded expectations of the service providers and visitors alike. Tourist Offices such as Buncrana, here in Inishowen have seen a dramatic increase in visitor numbers during 2014, and furthermore during the first half of 2015. Inishowen Tourist Office has had a 34% increase in footfall in comparison to the same period in the previous year.

The Donegal section of the Wild Atlantic Way showcases 1,100 kilometres of coastline, and boasts the most Blue Flag beaches, a total of 13.

Bundoran, Rossnowlagh, Murvagh/Laghy, Fintra/Killybegs, Naran/Portnoo, Carrickfinn/Anagary, Killahoey/Dunfanaghy, Downings/Rosguill Peninsula, Magherwarden/Portsalon, Fanad, Lisfannon/Fahan, Shroove, Culdaff.  

	Donegal has been described in Failte Ireland literature as “Untouched, off the radar and crying out for exploration”. Locals resonate that in terms of tourism, improvements in infrastructure as a gateway to the North “we are the forgotten county”. However, the WAW new route has finally highlighted an opportunity to discover the beauty of this county driving through some of the most picturesque areas in Ireland. It encapsulates rugged and remote iconic sights, in a region that is rich in archaeological content, steeped cultural tradition, expressed through music and language that expands the mind, body, and soul in Donegal.

On the Crest of a Wave: Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way

Abstract

The research explores what is the current service provision in a specific area on the “Wild Atlantic Way” (WAW) in County Donegal. The paper identifies those service providers that currently participate in the “visitor experience” on a section of the route Rossnowlagh to Slieve League Cliffs; one of the 3 iconic designated signature experiences in Donegal. This allows the researcher to obtain insight in relation to the status quo in the tourism product offering, whether registered or not with an affiliated body. These facts and feedback that relate to the small to medium business sector in tourism provide rich data for recommendations for a collaborative approach for a future sustainable development plan. In relation to the research both qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out. Statistical analysis was also carried out using frequencies and percentages in order to examine trends among the participant’s responses. The launch of WAW by Tourism Ireland/Failte Ireland, offers a unique opportunity to Donegal. It may open the “flood gates”; allowing access to mainstream tourism, previously concentrated on the lower counties. The impact of the recession in Ireland and particularly the Northwest from 2008, has resulted in closure of many facilities; hotels, B&Bs and businesses in general. Regeneration in the tourism sector is imperative for Donegal to reach its potential, in terms of provision of services, employment and income. The introduction of the WAW is an inspiration for surrounding communities; a vision for a sustainable future. A review of the literature indicates that developing rural tourism and marketing through its stakeholders, Donegal will need to meet the emerging needs of independent travellers in terms of accommodation, activities, access natural resources, countryside and local culture. With the development of the Roadmap initiative “The WAW”, it is anticipated that the number of visitors will increase in Donegal. This will require additional accommodation and facilities. The overall aim of this study is to ascertain the current service provision for visitors, to identify gaps in the provision, and to make recommendations for further developments to support tourism providers, thereby enhancing “the visitor experience”.

Keywords Wild Atlantic Way, Rural Donegal, Service providers, Sustainable tourism, Collaboration.

LYIT hosting THRIC Conference – Leading the way forward in Sustainable Tourism

Blog by Heidi Woods Tourism Development Officer

Inishowen Tourism representatives Siobhan Kelly and Heidi Woods were pleased to attend the Annual Tourism and Hospitality Research in IrelandConference (THRIC) from 11 – 12 June. The conference was officially opened by Minster Joe McHugh TD on the morning of 11 June.  In conjunction with LYIT, RadissionBlu Hotel, Letterkenny, the Tourism College at Killybegs hosted the 11^th Annual Tourism Conference 2015.The conference runs on an all-Ireland inclusion providing an annual opportunity for the dissemination and presentation of research facilitating the tourism sector including hospitality and culinary operations.

This year’s conference theme ‘CollaborativeSustainable Development - The Way Forward for Tourism’ featured over 35 research presentations and was addressed by four key note speakers from Ireland, Scotland, England and Spain. These speakers included, Mr Pat Mccann, Chief Executive of Dalata Hotel Group PLC, Dr Diane Dodd, Director of IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), Barcelona, Ms Helen Campbell, Head of Global Brand and Customer Marketing, Visit Scotland, Professor Kevin Hannam, Professor of Tourism Mobilities at Leeds Beckett University.