If you’re looking for advice on things to do, places to eat and sights to see, then all you have to do is ask the newest crop of Local Experts for County Donegal.
Nearly 80 individuals and representatives of Donegal’s tourism and hospitality sector attended Fáilte Ireland’s KNOW DONEGAL Local Experts Programme workshops yesterday at the Abbey Hotel, Donegal.
The Local Experts Programme is part of an initiative by Fáilte Ireland to develop a network of local people who share knowledge and interact positively with visitors in Donegal. The programme aims to develop a tourism business network, social media initiatives and to make every visitor engagement a truly positive one in order to ultimately grow tourism businesses and the local economy.
Ester O’Donnell, Failte Ireland with Caite Fealty, Fanad Lighhouse at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Photo Clive Wasson
Inga Bock, Rural Recreation Officer Ester O’Donnell, Failte Ireland and Mark Keane, OPW at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Speaking at the workshops, Amanda Boyle, Senior Travel Advisor with Fáilte Ireland said that those attending came from a diverse range of tourism businesses who all wanted to provide visitors with the best experience of Donegal, its attractions and people:
“Today’s attendance at the workshops, with over 100 individuals and representatives of tourism and hospitality businesses attending is evidence of how important tourism is to the wider Donegal economy.
“As we know, Donegal is a very popular destination for international and domestic visitors and its attractions are brought to life every day by locals interacting with tourists. Visitors not only seek out local people and their advice, they trust it. More and more holidaymakers tell us that they rely on and trust the advice and information received from the local people they meet during their stay.
“This programme is building on that sentiment by inspiring all front-line employees and volunteers to turn every visitor interaction into a truly informative and positive experience and to help offer visitors relevant recommendations on places of interest to visit in Donegal.”
Christina jose Irwin, Amanda Boyle Failte Ireland and Anne McCaughey, OPW, Donegal Castle at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Caoimhe Magee, Donegal Adventure Centre and Linda Campbell, Failte Ireland at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Pat Meehan and Gavin Curran, Curran Coaches with Amanda Boyle Failte Ireland at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
At the core of this programme is a network of local people who came together to share local knowledge to help visitors make the most of their visit to Donegal. The programme will also feature social media initiatives, a Visitor Attractions pass and the future development of a tourism business network.
Those seeking more information on the Programme can email: localexperts@failteireland.ie.
See more photos from the event below:
Ester O’Donnell, Failte Ireland and Michael Gallagher, Gallagher Cabs at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Inga Bock, Rural Recreation Officer Ester O’Donnell, Failte Ireland and Mark Keane, OPW at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson
Photo Clive Wasson
The packed room at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel . Photo Clive Wasson
Ester O’Donnell and Amanda Boyle . Photo Clive Wasson
Caroline Gallagher, Failte Ireland, Amanda Boyle, Failte Ireland and Marion McGinley, Slieve League Distillers. Photo Clive Wasson
Elaine McInaw, Abbey Hotel, Aine McIntyre, Ester O’Donnell, Failte Ireland, Sandra Keenan and Sheila Sheeran, Alingham Arms Bundoran at the Failte Ireland Know Donegal Local Expert Event in the Abbey Hotel Donegal Town on Tuesday last. Photo Clive Wasson