On Tuesday, November 3rd over 100 tourism and hospitality businesses gathered in The Park Hotel in Dungarvan to take part in the Waterford Rural Tourism Network Event.
The Waterford Rural Tourism Network is made up of five cluster areas; Copper Coast, Blackwater Valley, the Comeraghs, Gaeltacht na nDéise, and Waterford Estuary and the event is funded and supported by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland and delivered by Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions.
The theme of the day, ‘Empowering Waterford and Welcoming our Neighbours’, saw each cluster promoting their geographical areas. Also present were organisations that the network routinely collaborates with, such as Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Tourist Offices, Waterford Leader Partnership, Taste Waterford and Visit Waterford.
The day began with industry updates and insights delivered by Gareth Evans, SEO Economic Development, Waterford City and County Council, who said, “Ultimately, when a visitor comes to Waterford, we want them to experience the coastline, the Greenway, our heritage, our food offering, our villages, our attractions and our hospitality businesses.
“We want the success of major investments such as the North Quays and Cultural Quarter to create opportunities for rural tourism businesses, just as the strength of our rural tourism product enhances Waterford's overall attractiveness as a destination.’’
Head of Product and Regional Development Ireland's Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, Brian O'Flynn said, “Waterford is a key destination within Ireland's Ancient East, renowned for its rich heritage, vibrant culture, stunning coastline and strong outdoor tourism offering. The continued development of the Waterford rural tourism experience is one of the key objectives identified within the Waterford DEDP, recognising the significant opportunities that rural tourism presents for local communities and tourism businesses.’’
The Waterford Rural Tourism Network plays an important role in bringing industry partners and tourism businesses together to share ideas, strengthen relationships, and identify opportunities to work collaboratively. Initiatives like this support Fáilte Ireland's ambition to drive sustainable tourism growth, enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the competitiveness of destinations across the country.
The attendees were inspired by Anne O’Donoghue, CEO of Irish Heritage Trust and CEO of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), who spoke about the importance of community and working together, emphasising that tourism businesses in places like Waterford are major employers. “It’s not just about jobs, it’s about creating careers. It is through our communities working together that we become a sustainable tourism destination. The wider community must see the value in the work of smaller, often family run, businesses as they not only bring energy and skill but authenticity to a region.’’
Those in attendance enjoyed two inspirational panel discussions, ‘Inspirational Waterford and the Great Outdoors’ and ‘Waterford: Innovation Through Collaboration’, chaired by Miranda Corcoran of The Art Hand.
Julie O’Brien of Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions remarked, "Today has been a tremendous success and one of our most effective networking sessions. It has been wonderful to see the camaraderie and collaboration among Waterford network members and to welcome industry leaders from neighbouring destinations, opening up new partnership opportunities.”
If you would like to find out more about the Waterford Rural Tourism Network or join one of the five Clusters in Waterford, please email caroline@runda.ie.
The Waterford Rural Tourism Network programme is funded by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland.
