Forum aims to bring a broad sector together

THE Brehon Hotel is gearing up to host the second annual Let’s Talk Tourism forum this week (Friday, November 10), with an exciting list of key speakers lined up for what’s described as a forum for the grass-roots of all tourism sectors.

Aimed at anyone involved in tourism at a local, regional, national or international level, the forum attempts to bring all sectors of the notably vast tourism industry together as it looks to the future.

‘Let’s talk tourism – National Tourism Forum’ Chairperson Margaret Cahill will get proceedings at the day-forum underway at 9am, with a broad range of discussions and contributions taking place between then and 5.30pm under the moderation of well-known writer and broadcaster Olivia O’Leary.

Issues to be addressed include regionalisation and seasonality; access; skills and manpower; and digital trends, and among those on the panel on the day will be Tourism Northern Ireland CEO john McGrillen; Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas; John Brennan of the Park Hotel, Kenmare; B&B Ireland CEO Helena Healy; travel and food writers Eoghan Corry and Pól Ó Conghaile; and Solas chief Paul O’Toole.

They will be joined by an impressive list of key speakers.

Former Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive Peter Bellew, recently appointed as Ryanair’s chief operations officer, was recently announced as a keynote speaker and he will be ably accompanied by Fáilte Ireland chief executive Paul Kelly, Mark Henry of Tourism Ireland, Fiona Monaghan of Fáilte Ireland, Guinness Storehouse boss Paul Carty, Minister of State for Tourism Brendan Griffin and Kerry County Council CEO Moira Murrell.

From 8pm on Friday evening, a Business Networking Dinner will take place in The Malton, with a threecourse meal with wine; the Skål President’s award for national contribution to tourism; entertainment; and after-dinner speaker Pól Ó Conghaile among its highlights.

If you would like to attend the conference or obtain further information, contact 0647767181 or email bookings@ ntf.ie.

Photo by Don MacMonagle Pictured at the launch of the National Tourism Forum / Let’s Talk Tourism Conference were Emer Corridan, Sean Healy, Margaret Cahill, Ciara O’Grady, Paul O’Neill, and Joan McCarthy.