Developing the Kilkenny destination and visitor Experience Failte Ireland

Fáilte Ireland’s Developing the Kilkenny Destination and Visitor Experience tourism conference, held at Kilkenny’s River Court Hotel. 

The conference is part of the process to create a new Kilkenny Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), a five-year sustainable tourism destination development plan for Kilkenny City and county.

Fáilte Ireland is hosting  Developing the Kilkenny Destination and Visitor Experience  an international tourism conference at Kilkenny’s River Court Hotel to discuss the future vision of tourism for the county.

This conference is part of the process to create a new Kilkenny Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), a five-year sustainable tourism destination development plan for Kilkenny City and county.   

Attendees will hear from international tourism destination experts Professor Terry Stevens (Stevens & Associates), Dr Nagore Uresandi Espinosa (CEO In2Destination, Bilbao) and Mark O’Connell (Repucon Consulting) as they share insights into what destinations like Kilkenny can do to establish themselves as a world class tourist destination.

Fáilte Ireland representatives will also address members of the Kilkenny tourism sector at the conference as they progress the National Tourism Development Authority’s strategic plans to further develop the region.  

Speakers at today’s event include  

·       Paul Keeley, Director Regional Development, Fáilte Ireland  

·       Colette Byrne, CEO Kilkenny County Council  

·       Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland  

·       Professor Terry Stevens – Stevens & Associates  

·       Dr Nagore Uresandi Espinosa – CEO In2Destination, Bilbao.      

·       Mark O’Connell – Repucon Consulting  

Speaking at the event, Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland said “Kilkenny is an important part of Ireland’s Ancient East, and has a huge amount of potential to attract domestic and international visitors. Today’s conference is a wonderful opportunity for local tourism industry stakeholders to learn from international tourism experts, and use those learnings to collaborate with Fáilte Ireland, Kilkenny County Council and tourism industry colleagues to further develop Kilkenny as a world-class tourist destination.

The Kilkenny Destination Experience Development Plan, which is currently in consultation with industry, will outline a strategic 5-year framework for development of tourism in Kilkenny within Ireland’s Ancient East.”

Colette Byrne, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council added, “Kilkenny County Council is delighted to be working with Fáilte Ireland to commence the consultation for the Kilkenny Destination Experience Development Plan to build on the strengths of Kilkenny as a key tourism destination. Today’s international conference is a fantastic opportunity for the Kilkenny tourism industry to learn from and be inspired by international experts with the view to further developing a sustainable plan for tourism in the county.”