Tourism initiatives gather pace in Waterford
The Waterford Rural Tourism Network (WRTN) is continuing to develop according to a report presented to the members of Waterford City & County Council at their recent monthly meeting in City Hall.
In the report, presented to the members by Chief Executive, Sean McKeown, the members were told that since the beginning of 2024, workshops, learning journeys and meetings have been delivered by Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions, on behalf of Waterford City & County Council. Mr McKeown also pointed out that before the endo this year further training initiatives will take place including in-person meetings, LEO Webinars, 2nd Learning Journey and Failte Ireland lead trainings.
He also stated that the Spotlight Series will be continued and there will be a networking event day taking place in November.
Mr McKeown also asked members if they were aware of any business that might benefit from being involved, to put them in touch with the local authority's Tourism Officer, Orna Holohan.
The members were also told that Visit Waterford, The Waterford Rural Tourism Network (WRTN) - which includes the Comeragh, Blackwater Valley, Gaeltacht, Copper Coast and Waterford Estuary clusters - is also continuing to develop.
With regard to some of the training initiatives that have taken place Mr McKeown highlighted an LEO Webinar on 'Green for Business' and Google Maps, that took place at the end of last month.
The second of five 'Learning Journeys' took place on the Copper Coast on October 2 while another event, as part of the Fáilte Ireland Champions Programme, took place on October 10.
Among the other events highlighted by Mr McKeown in his report was an event titled 'Leave No Trace' awareness training, which took place on October 16.
With regard to further training events and initiatives the members were told that episode three of the Spotlight Series will take place soon along with an event titled, Saleable Experience Development training - Episode 3 of the Spotlight Series.
On November 7, a network wide workshop and networking event will take place and there will also be meetings taking place in November and December for each of the five clusters.
In his report Mr McKeown also outlined a number of media articles that focused attention on some of Waterford's tourism attractions and in referencing one of the articles, in The Guardian, he noted: 'Waterford has taken its natural assets and run with them'.
With regard to the local authority's Economic Development and Enterprise SPC, Mr McKeown said the next SPC will be scheduled after receipt of sectoral nominees.
