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LEADER seminar for tourism providers


Clare Local Development Company (LEADER) is hosting a special seminar for community and rural tourism providers on Saturday, September 29, from 9.30am to 4pm at Vaughan’s Barn, Kilfenora.

The event will be looking at innovation and emerging trends in rural tourism and examining how such ideas and practices can be adopted in Clare, creating more attractive and commercially viable rural businesses.

The event brings to an end a successful year-long animation programme aimed at supporting tourism, heritage and environmental promoters through the LEADER process.

Currently, there is up to 75% funding available for rural tourism projects but the Rural Development Programme support will end in 2013.

With that in mind, the seminar is aimed at those currently involved in or ­planning a tourism enterprise.

The event is targeting community group members or people starting or expanding a business. The seminar will allow them to meet others in similar circumstances and CLDC staff.

Some of the original case studies to be presented include Daniel Browne with the story of how Bundoran has reinvented itself as one of the country’s leading surf destinations; Brian Murray, one of Ireland’s leading tour operators, explored where rural tourism in Clare will be going over the next 20 years and a delegation from the successful Mulranny and Great Western Greenway will give a warts-and-all presentation on how they developed the product.

“This LEADER programme offers a great opportunity to community groups and tourism entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next stage of development. I would encourage anyone who is considering a new tourism venture to talk to us about potential grant aid and mentoring support. This seminar will give you direct access to LEADER staff who can provide immediate and helpful advice on how to proceed,” said CLDC CEO Doirin Graham.

As Brian Murray, Aspects of Ireland, said recently, “The visitors who came to County Clare 20 years ago, those who come today and those who will come in 20 years time are coming for the same reasons.”

Places will be limited so booking is essential prior to Wednesday next. Bookings will be taken on a first-come basis.

For more information or to book, email info@cldc.ie or call 065 6866800.

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