West Cork networking event promotes tourism

MORE THAN 50 tourism businesses from West Cork and Kenmare attended a special Fáilte Ireland networking event in The Maritime Hotel in Bantry.

The event, organised by Fáilte Ireland, aimed to build collaboration across the tourism industry, encouraging businesses to collaborate and cross-sell to attract visitors and inspire them to explore Munster, and all it has to offer.

Networking sessions with more than 300 appointments were facilitated among accommodation providers, visitor attractions and activities, to provide them with the opportunity to forge new connections and renew old ones.

The meetings focused on how tourism businesses can work together to collectively sell the region as an exciting destination with a range of things to see and do for all demographics of visitors.

Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way team provided the attendees with an update on key initiatives for the destination, while Irish documentary maker, Manchán Magan, spoke about West Cork and Kenmare being pioneering destinations, places of fresh thinking based on old traditions with vast tourism potential when businesses and communities collaborate and work together.

Wild Atlantic Way Manager with Fáilte Ireland, Josephine O’ Driscoll said: “We’re really pleased that so many West Cork and Kenmare tourism businesses joined us for this networking event.

“There has been so many new additions and updates to the tourism offering in the region, it was important to come together and identify opportunities to develop closer working relationships and to encourage visitors to explore further, stay longer and spend more.

“Our recent research conducted to mark the 10th anniversary of the Wild Atlantic Way shows that The Wild Atlantic Way drives €3 billion in revenue per year and a key focus for the future will be to continue to highlight the tourism offering in West Cork and Kenmare.”

Creating opportunities for greater collaboration across the region was a key strategic pillar of the West Cork and Kenmare Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) which was launched last year.

West Cork and Kenmare DEDP co-chairs, Des O’Dowd of Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, and Neil Lucey of Gougane Barra Hotel, said: “We value tourism in West Cork and Kenmare, and its significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the area.

“Today’s event gave us the opportunity to showcase not only our amazing products but also to connect, collaborate, and create experiences that leave a lasting impact beyond our borders.”