I very much enjoyed the Irish Tourism Policy Workshop which took place in Dromoland Castle at the week-end (April 23-25). The topics under discussion included - the role of tourism in generating export-led growth, developments in tourism statistics, competitiveness, international aviation trends, the tourism innovation process, mobile technologies, industry structures and cultural tourism development. The presentation and discussion sessions were very informative and a video recording will be available online in due course.
In terms of policy development, I was particularly encouraged on two fronts. The first was the recognition by Alan Ahearne, Special Advisor to the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, that tourism is an important export sector and one which can drive economic recovery. This augurs well for future government tourism policy. The second was the impressive understanding of tourism development by former top civil servant, Don Thornhill. Don is currently an advisor on strategy and policy and he chairs the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). He correctly identified that commitment to the promotion of a competitive tourism sector transends the industry. He noted that it is a 'whole of government' and a 'whole of society' issue. How right he is!
During the industry panel discussion, moderator Olivia O'Leary asked if a National Tourism Day/Week would be helpful in raising the profile of the sector. This is something I have suggested in earlier posts and I am delighted the idea was widely supported. Scotland has been running a Tourism Week for the past five years and details of the 2009 event can be found here.
Professor Jim Deegan, Director at the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies, University of Limerick deserves much credit for organising the workshop and as does Shannon Development for supporting it. Mark Nolan and his team at Dromoland also did a superb job in looking after everyone.
I am looking forward to next year's event already!
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