Hospitality Ireland presents a round-up of Fáilte Ireland news.
Ireland's Equine Heritage At The Heart Of New Fáilte Ireland Thoroughbred Country Development
In a statement published on its website, Fáilte Ireland said, "Counties Kildare and Tipperary are set to benefit from a new Destination Experience Development Plan that will bring to life the extraordinary thoroughbred horse tradition, the world-renowned horse people, their crafts and the breeding heritage that is synonymous with Ireland.
"Fáilte Ireland and Kildare and Tipperary County Councils have today (Wednesday 10th November) launched the Thoroughbred Country Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) to drive and sustain tourism in Kildare and Tipperary by developing new and enhanced visitor experiences across both counties.
"The five-year Plan has been developed in collaboration with Kildare and Tipperary County Councils, and the Thoroughbred Country Steering Group, which comprises representatives from The Irish National Stud, Horse Racing Ireland, The Curragh Racecourse, Punchestown Racecourse, Coolmore Stud, Kildare Village, Hotel Minella, Into Kildare and Tipperary Tourism.
"Ireland's global reputation as a leader in the breeding and racing of the Thoroughbred will be central to the plan, which will create a dynamic destination to attract domestic and international visitors and establish the region as the world’s leading thoroughbred experience.
"The Plan includes a number of innovative and ambitious initiatives to be developed in the region over the course of the plan including:
- "The new International Thoroughbred Trail
- "The Irish National Stud Experience
- "Fethard Horse Country Experience
- "Coolmore Experience
- "Mingle with the Stars Stallion Trail
- "The Curragh Behind the Scenes Tour
- "Trainers' Yards Visits
"The diversity and range of attractions and unique experiences across the counties will be highlighted and the plan will also develop a range of behind-the-scenes exclusive activities for tourists and visitors to the region.
"Announcing the Plan at the National Stud, Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland, said, 'The heritage and legacy of the Thoroughbred is a hugely significant part of the tourism offering for Kildare and Tipperary. The Thoroughbred Country Destination Development Plan aims to connect Ireland’s world class reputation in the equestrian and thoroughbred industry to cultural tourism, both domestically and internationally. The plan will be implemented across key strategic development areas and increase the visitor numbers, dwell time and visitor revenue to both Kildare and Tipperary.'
"Sonya Kavanagh, CEO Kildare County Council, added, 'County Kildare has long been synonymous with the horse and, in particular, the Thoroughbred. Kildare County Council and Kildare Fáilte are delighted to work with our colleagues in Tipperary County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and key stakeholders in the Equine industry to develop the Thoroughbred Country Experience. The launch of this plan is a significant milestone, and we very much look forward to the realisation of the Thoroughbred Country Destination Development Plan.'
"Commenting on the plan, Joe McGrath, CEO Tipperary County Council, said, 'Tipperary County Council welcomes this opportunity to collaborate with our colleagues in Kildare County Council, the Thoroughbred Industry, Fáilte Ireland and others by playing our part in bringing this new visitor experience to the market. We have recognised for some time that much more can be achieved and that our collective ambitions can be realised by collaborating and working together. Tipperary is world famous for horse breeding, home to the internally renowned Coolmore Stud and boasts in excess of 80 further trainers across the county. The economic impact of breeding and racing in County Tipperary is worth almost €400 million, employing over 1050 people across the county. This makes it perfectly rational that we would work together with our colleagues in Kildare to tell the thoroughbred story, share our thoroughbred heritage and make this experience available to visitors to both counties.'
"Cathal Beale, Chairperson of the Thoroughbred Country Steering Group, concluded, 'The launch of the Thoroughbred Country 5 Year Development Plan marks the beginning of a unique collaboration between two pillars of Irish society; the tourism and thoroughbred sectors. The Plan will leverage existing thoroughbred attractions and assist in the development of new ones to create a world-class selection of behind-the-scenes experiences.'
"For more information on the Thoroughbred Country Development Plan for Kildare and Tipperary, visit www.failteireland.ie."
Fáilte Ireland Secures Almost €50m Worth Of international Business Events For Ireland
In a separate statement published on its website, Fáilte Ireland said, "• Almost half of international conferences secured are for locations outside Dublin
"• The National Tourism Development Authority aims to drive further business tourism wins at IMEX America
"Fáilte Ireland has confirmed that 85 international conferences worth €48.5 million taking place between 2021 and 2027 have been secured for Ireland so far this year. Conferences such as Transport Research Arena 2024 in Dublin (€4.8m) and the International Federation for Home Economics World Congress 2024 in Galway (€2.4m) have been secured.
"The National Tourism Development Authority is looking to drive further business event wins for the country over the coming days at IMEX America which is one of the largest global meetings industry trade shows in the world. The event is a key source market of business for Irish suppliers and it gets underway today (Tuesday 9th November) in Las Vegas. Fáilte Ireland will be joined by 36 Irish trade partners on the Meet in Ireland booth.
"A central focus of Fáilte Ireland's pitch at IMEX America this year will be on growing business events into regional Ireland. So far this year, 47% of Fáilte Ireland's business tourism wins are for locations outside Dublin through the Regional Convention Bureaux in Shannon, Cork, Kerry and Galway.
"Paul Kelly, Fáilte Ireland CEO, said, 'For a small country, Ireland has always punched above its weight in winning business events. Prior to COVID-19, business tourism had been one of the fastest growing segments of the Irish tourism industry, contributing more than €716 million annually to the economy and supporting up to 20,000 jobs. This sector is highly specialised, lucrative and high yielding for Ireland because each business tourism visitor generates almost three times the tourism revenue than that of a leisure tourist.'
"Fáilte Ireland's Head of Commercial Development, Paul Mockler, added, 'Despite the unprecedented trading environment, Fáilte Ireland’s team has been working to ensure that Ireland's Business Events offering has stayed front of mind with international event planners. The team is currently working on a pipeline of opportunities worth almost €1bn for events due to take place up to 2033. Tradeshows like IMEX America are a key opportunity to leverage our work over the past 18 months and secure major overseas meetings, conferences and events for the years ahead. We have 36 top-class Irish industry joining us, and they are showcasing the very best that Ireland has to offer.'"
Fáilte Ireland Investment Turns Dublin's History And Heritage Into Memorable Experiences
In another statement published on its website, Fáilte Ireland said, "Minister Catherine Martin TD and Fáilte Ireland today announced that €1.7 million worth of enhancement work will soon be completed on 10 Dublin visitor attractions which will create new immersive experiences that bring to life stories that have shaped Ireland's history and culture.
"The investment was made through Fáilte Ireland's Dublin Surprising Stories Scheme and focuses on bringing the story of Dublin to life using interactive technology, audio visual and improved foreign language provision. These enhancements will make the 10 attractions more accessible to international visitors as Dublin looks to once again compete as a leading global visitor destination post-COVID while also appealing to domestic victors and families over the winter months.
"Recipients of the funding include the Medieval Viking Dublin Museum at Dublinia, Dublin's only fully intact Georgian House at Newbridge House and Farm and EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum which was recently named Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at World Travel Awards for the third year running.
"Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD said, 'Compelling storytelling lies at the heart of fantastic tourism attractions and this investment has empowered these 10 attractions to convert the stories of Dublin and its people into unforgettable tourist attractions. We know that the modern tourist looks for a more interactive and accessible experience, and these enhancements have created new ways for visitors to enjoy the history, heritage and culture of Dublin.'
Speaking at the announcement in Dublinia, Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin at Fáilte Ireland, said, 'Attractions are key to stimulating demand, creating and sustaining jobs, and delivering an economic return both locally and nationally. Pre-COVID, 68% of all overseas tourists visited attractions of historic or cultural interest therefore improved foreign language provision across attractions is a key selling point as we look to 2022. By bringing Dublin's stories, from its Georgian past to its sporting culture to life, the Dublin Surprising Stories scheme will ensure Dublin’s historic and cultural attractions remain on the must-visit list for domestic and international visitors.'
"John Healy, Chairman, Dublinia, said, 'Over the years Dublinia has reinvested in its visitor experience seeking always to achieve world class quality. Our aim is to ensure our visitor connects with the stories of Viking and Medieval Dublin and leaves with an enjoyable and memorable visit.
"'We are grateful for the support of Failte Ireland's Surprising Stories funding as it has helped us to undertake a significant investment. We have added to our people stories, increased our language facilities and created more interactivity. We have relocated the artefacts on loan to us from the National Museum of Ireland and placed them in context. All of this work means we are more than ready and looking forward with great hope and expectations to the 2022 season ahead.'"
"The Dublin attractions which received the Dublin's Surprising Stories Scheme are:
"Christ Church Cathedral - €195,000
"Clondalkin Round Tower - €51,000
"Croke Park GAA Museum - €185,000
"Dublinia - €200,000
"EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum - €200,000
"Glasnevin Cemetery Museum - €200,000
"Irish Whiskey Museum - €200,000
"Newbridge House & Farm - €107,625
"St Patrick's Cathedral - €160,850
"Teelings Whiskey Distillery - €200,000."
© 2021 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
