Kenny for tourism conference

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny, Aer Arann chairman Pádraig Ó Ceidigh and FAI technical director Packie Bonner will join tourism interests from across Ireland at the National Tourism Conference, details of which were announced this week. Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny, Aer Arann chairman Pádraig Ó Ceidigh and FAI technical director Packie Bonner will join tourism interests from across Ireland at the National Tourism Conference, details of which were announced this week.
The Clare Tourist Council, in conjunction with Clare County Council, will host the 22nd annual conference at The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, County Clare, from November 25 to 27.
The annual event will be attended by hundreds of tourism industry officials and members of ­local authorities, county enterprise boards, ­partnerships and all public and private bodies involved in the promotion of tourism in Ireland.
This year’s conference, entitled Achieving World Class Tourism, will also see some of Ireland’s leading tourism operators pledge their support for the Cliffs of Moher’s bid to be named one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’.
The landmark was shortlisted in July 2009, along with 27 other sites, from over 440 participants representing over 220 countries.
Aer Arann chairman Pádraig Ó Ceidigh is scheduled to speak on the Importance of Access, while Gerard Dollard, director of services, Clare County Council and Ennis town manager, will address the conference on the topic of Raising the Bar – The Role of local Authorities.
Geraldine McGahey, chief executive, Larne Borough Council, will give a presentation on learning from the advantages of networking: The Pathway to Success and Samantha Williams, Cantata project coordinator, Denbighshire County Council, will speak on Developing an Authentic Tourism Experience. Bodil Alver Moen, Lillehammer Kommune, Norway will talk about World Class Tourism: The Importance of Exchange Programmes, from Inside and Outside the EU.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) will also be represented at the conference as it prepares to hold its own annual conference in Clare next summer.
Former goalkeeping international Packie Bonner will address conference delegates on the issue of Football in Clare: The  Key to Success, while FAI delegate from Clare, Jim Madden, will speak about the importance of networking within clubs.
Commenting on the upcoming conference, Flan Garvey of the Clare Tourist Council said, “The interest shown in this year’s event indicates the very real commitment among all tourism agencies and operators to participate in a unified approach to addressing common issues facing the sector. Tourism has been hit badly by the downturn in the economy and it can only survive and prosper if operators in the sector exchange ideas and collaborate.”
Mr Garvey noted that the conference has in previous years attracted tourism representatives from all over Ireland to Ennistymon to share their views on the best way forward for the sector.
“For over two decades this event has promoted the benefits of adopting a collaborative approach to developing tourism on the island of Ireland. The Clare Tourist Council is committed to engaging with tourism providers and promotional agencies throughout the island in reinforcing the country’s status as a domestic and international tourist destination.
“All political parties, including Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party, will also be participating in the event in the best interests of developing tourism,” he added.
Next month’s three-day conference will include the presentation of the Clare Tourist Council Tidy Towns Awards, along with a site visit by delegates to the nearby Cliffs of Moher.