The launch of the Report of the Innovation Taskforce 'Innovation Ireland' got me thinking about innovation in the hospitality and tourism sector. There are lots of examples - businesses who have adapted over the years, towns that developed as a result of 'smart' individuals and of course, recent start-ups. These include
- Kelly's Hotel Rosslare
- Ballymaloe House & Cookery School
- Francis Brennan at the Park Hotel Kenmare
- Good Food Ireland
- Vagabond Tours
- Car Trawler
- Pro Bus & Car
- Hostelworld
And there are many more. How about Galway winning the bid to host the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012? Enda O'Coineen, chairman, Let's Do It Global, said last week that the smart economy is not simply about science and technology. How right he is.
Those with an interest in innovation in Irish tourism should read Fáilte Ireland's excellent summary paper 'Fostering an Innovation Culture in Irish Tourism'. It defines innovation simply as 'change which adds value'. Now, that makes sense to me! Compare that to the Innovation Ireland version - 'Innovation entails investment aimed at producing new knowledge and using it in various applications. It results from the interaction of a range of complementary assets which include research and development, but also software, human capital, design, marketing and new organisational structures - many of which are essential for reaping the productive gains and efficiencies from new technologies'. I'm beginning to struggle! Now you know which is the better (and shorter) read!
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