Dundalk Chamber hail Cross Border Tourism Conference as "a huge success"

Dundalk Chamber held their first in person Cross Border Tourism Conference in the surroundings of the Four Seasons Carlingford on the 29th March. 

A spokesperson said:

“The event had been moved online due to covid restrictions for the past three years so it was great to have all attendees under the one roof.

“With over 200 booked in the event was a resounding success. The event was sponsored by Louth Local Development , Louth County Council, Local Enterprise Office Louth , Newry Chamber and The Marshes Shopping Centre.”

The event brought experts together from various Tourism projects around Ireland and the UK so that tourism providers could replicate it in their own business.  There were practical tips and workshops on how to improve tourism business.

There were five key speakers at the conference and the event was chaired by Kieran Swail of the Southern Regional College with Brendan McSherry, Heritage Officer with Louth County Council chairing the question and answer session at the end.

Frank O’Brien, Chair of Louth Leader Partnership restated the Company’s position in supporting the event.  Collette Moss of Louth County Council outlined the Council’s commitment to events and Trails such as The Festival of Lights, The Tain Trail, Sea Louth, and a planned St Brigid’s Festival. Collette also acknowledged the work of the Louth Enterprise Office in supporting micro businesses.

Oonagh Messette from the Celtic Routes Project outlined how the project has evolved with the creation of a diverse range of digital assets such as Celtic Connections which is a “compendium of experiences to connect visitors to the Celtic Spirit.”

Wayne Denner introduced new concepts of “return on relationships” and “human-centered marketing” and demonstrated the application of ChatGPT to tourism. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot that allows humanlike conversations.

Frazer Coupland from Lochaber Chamber of Commerce discussed how the Chamber’s “Outdoor Capital of the UK” brand evolved and the challenges and opportunities of managing visitors and peak times and in the shoulder season.

John Fitzgerald from GlassBox Events in Co. Limerick gave a thought-provoking talk entitled “The Aftermath”, asking attendees to learn from what has happened in the last three years. Survival in tourism is about being different, more creative, and “narrowing your focus,” he said.

Pol O’ Conghaile, Travel Editor with the Irish Independent highlighted 10 new travel trends in 2023 and beyond, where community, connectivity, creativity, and sustainability will be ever-present. Pol noted that the sentiment for travel is holding up with shorter trips and visitors seeking to connect to the “Great Outdoors”.

Brendan McSherry, Heritage Officer with Louth County Council thanked the organizing committee, the sponsors, the presenters, and Kieran Swail, from Southern Regional College for facilitating the Conference.  Brendan concluded that the common thread of the conference was the importance of people, community, and relationships

There was also an opportunity for attendees to network during the breaks and visit the thirty trade stands on the day.