Over 130 tourism businesses to network at Donegal Tourism Connect in Ballybofey

The biggest tourism networking event of the year in the county will take place this Wednesday, March 4, at Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey.

Donegal Tourism Connect, hosted by Donegal County Council’s Tourism Unit and Fáilte Ireland, will see tourism businesses from across the county gather to meet their peers and discuss potential collaborations as part of Local Enterprise Week.

They will also hear from keynote speaker, renowned international tourism thought leader, author, and destination expert Doug Lansky, who has advised destinations around the world on how to innovate, attract visitors and build sustainable success.

The MC for the day will be Donegal's own Andrea Gilligan, host of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk.

A panel discussion ‘Built on Belief – a look at how conviction, collaboration, and community are shaping Donegal’s tourism’ will also offer an insight into the resilience and belief of a number of businesses in the county.

Over 130 tourism businesses have registered to attend, with over 500 meetings scheduled on the day, almost double the number of appointments at last year’s event.

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Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chair of Donegal Tourism CLG John G McLaughlin is looking forward to the event.

“We are very encouraged by the growth of the event since last year and the commitment of the tourism businesses to attend and meet fellow businesses from across the county with the intention of collaborating over the coming months and years. There’ll be lots of learnings to be had on the day and I wish everyone taking part a successful seminar and prosperous season ahead,” he said.

Wild Atlantic Way manager at Fáilte Ireland Joan Crawford added: “Donegal Tourism Connect is now in its second year, and we are thrilled to see the response from the tourism businesses who wish to attend and network during the event. Under the theme of Local Enterprise Week ‘Belief’, all these businesses have confidence in their contribution to tourism in Donegal and understand the power of collaboration. We know that many new partnerships will be forged on the day and new ideas created as a result.”

Donegal Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Canning said: “Enterprise Week is all about showcasing the businesses of Donegal and there’s no better place for our tourism businesses to promote themselves to each other than at Donegal Tourism Connect. I’d like to thank our partners at Fáilte Ireland for their collaboration on the event with our own team, ensuring the best possible platform for tourism businesses in the county to shine on the day.”