Kielty and Ahern among speakers at major local tourism conference
Athlone played host to a landmark tourism conference recently featuring prominent figures from the worlds of hospitality, politics, and entertainment including new Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, UN Special Advisor Anita Mendiratta, and Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, among others.
Hosted by Journalist and Broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald, the event, titled 'Tourism: Big Impact, Small Footprint,' took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Monday, September 18 and was organised by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC.)
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Tony Johnson TUS, Grainne Cornally, Failte Ireland and Paddy Mathews, Failte Ireland, at the ITIC conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. Photo Paul Molloy.Image 2 of 3
ITIC Chair Elaina Fitzgerald Kane and Howard Hastings, Chair of Hastings Hotels, make a presentation of a replica of the Good Friday Agreement to Bertie Ahern at the ITIC conference in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, last week. Photo Paul Molloy.Image 3 of 3
Broadcaster Patrick Kielty.ITIC showcased a new report which outlined its vision of the tourism sector becoming a €15 billion annual industry by 2030.
During the event ITIC's chairperson, Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, highlighting tourism's role as a regional economic powerhouse, providing jobs throughout the country.
The new report made 38 recommendations, including a shift of tourism from the Media and Culture portfolio to the Enterprise Department, a 15% increase in tourism budgets, and highlighted the potential for Ireland to become an R&D hub for sustainable aviation fuel. It also demands a plan from Government as to how their dependence on hotels and guesthouses for refugee accommodation will be lessened.
Minister Catherine Martin said that the report would be considered as part of the National Tourism Policy to be published later this year.
She would not be drawn on budgetary matters including industry’s call for the restoration of the 9% tourism VAT rate.
The conference also heard how 250 cruisers on the river Shannon will adopt Sustainable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in 2024, reducing their carbon footprint by 92%.
Patrick Kielty spoke about how we can use tourism as a force for good and how tourism had benefitted the island following the Good Friday Agreement.
Following this theme, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressed concern at the ongoing political stalemate North of the border. He spoke about his memories of the 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and how “peace must be normalised but needs to be guarded preciously.”
International guest and Special Advisor to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Anita Mendiratta, praised Ireland for its sustainability efforts and highlighted the €68 million Just Transition Fund for the Midlands as a game-changer for regenerative tourism.
Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, AIB, and Westmeath County Council, the conference was welcomed by Mayor of Athlone Councillor Louise Heavin, who underlined the importance of a thriving tourism industry to the region.