Munster Vales acknowledges the extraordinary challenges tourism providers face, from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis to the harsh reality of a post-Brexit Ireland. We aim to support you where possible in 2021. Please get in touch with Munster Vales if you seek help. With the enduring efforts of Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and many more, we hope our industry will continue to demonstrate its resilience.
LAST CHANCE - Community Engagement Programme
This is your final opportunity to sign up to participate in the Community Engagement Programme, the workshops are due to commence from January 18th. Please register your interest ASAP by emailing [email protected].
Brexit Response
1 January 2021 marked the end of the Brexit transition period. At present, the UK is outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union, regardless of the outcome of the EU-UK negotiations.
Fáilte Ireland recognizes the impact Brexit will have on the tourism sector from the impact of currency fluctuations on individual tourist decisions, to impacts on the supply chain for the hospitality sector. Through the Fáilte Ireland website tourism providers can access helpful resources on the Support Hub. Visit the Brexit FAQs section to grasp a better understanding of how your business will be affected post-Brexit.
The Government of Ireland launched the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready campaign in response to Brexit. Businesses can avail of support services, such as the 6 Steps to Brexit Readiness - Guides and Resources. This guide outlines key factors businesses must consider moving forward from customs to financial management.
COVID-19 Research
Tourism Ireland has published its latest findings on COVID-19 within the tourism industry. The research compiled refers to consumer sentiment in international markets. Visit tourismireland.com to view the market research.
Conference - Inspiring Sustainable Tourism 'Building Back Better'
Wednesday 20 January 9.15am-3.30pm
This year's Inspiring Sustainable Tourism event is a must for future-focused tourism businesses that want to improve their sustainability credentials and for businesses that keep a careful watch on:
- The ever-growing connection between environmental and business sustainability
- Consumer trends and demands
- Risk reduction
- Staff satisfaction and retention
- Maintaining a competitive edge
Buy your ticket here using discount code Friend2020 via Eventbrite.
Online Training Opportunities
It’s a stressful, worrying time for tourism providers to navigate businesses through challenges, such as Brexit and COVID-19. However, Local Enterprise Offices Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick continue to provide online resources for business owners in the new year. Keep up to date with all online courses available through the Local Enterprise Office site.
New challenges have emerged for Irish businesses as a result of Brexit. To ease these difficulties, LEO Tipperary will hold a free online webinar ‘Brexit – Prepare Your Business for Customs’ on the 21st January and 15th February 2021.
Social media and online services are central to business growth during this current climate. LEO Waterford is offering an ‘Introduction to Twitter for Business’, with an additional advanced class to be held at the end of January. LEO Limerick will focus their social media webinars on Facebook and Instagram for Business. This will provide helpful tools for online advertising and introduce social media to beginners. Attend the LEO Limerick webinar on 'Search Engine Optimization' on 20th January, imperative to obtain a strong SEO strategy. In early February, LEO Tipperary offers a ‘Practical Digital Marketing & Promotion’ webinar. Note this webinar is restricted to Tipperary businesses only.
Munster Vales hopes to carry out a training needs analysis in 2021 to identify any specific training needs, if you have any training requests please get in touch and we will work closely with the Local Enterprise Offices, ETB and Ballyhoura Development to facilitate these needs.
Revive - Renew - Restart Programme
Ballyhoura Development has devised the Revive - Renew - Restart Programme for individuals affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The Programme is designed for people who lost their career, business or direction in their professional journey due to recent events. It is built around the need to search and explore all possibilities and opportunities that are out there unseen and build a set of practical tools and techniques to find them.
The aim is to deliver a programme based on Personal Effectiveness, Resilience, Positive Psychology, Personal Skills Assessment, Practical Action Planning & Career Guidance in order to support those who find themselves at a decision-making point in their lives.
Starting on the 21st January 2021, the programme will be run twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10am until 12.30pm starting on Thursday 21st January with the last session on Tuesday 16th February 2021. If you would like to find out more, please contact John Hassett at [email protected] or register here.
Updates from the Office of Public Works
The OPW has updated its regulations in keeping with the latest Level 5 restrictions. Outdoor playgrounds, play areas, and parks will remain open. Face coverings are to be worn in busy or crowded areas. Those with Heritage Cards expiring 14 March 2020, will be extended for a full year to 13 March 2021 due to the extensive closures throughout the year. Exterior access has been granted to the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle only. Doneraile Estate, the Swiss Cottage, Ormond Castle, and Dungarvan Castle have all closed for the season.
Fáilte Ireland 'Stronger Together' Virtual Event
The Fáilte Ireland 'Stronger Together' virtual industry event will take place on Monday, 1 February 2021 from 10am - 12.30pm.
The event will feature industry updates, a review of 2020 activity, findings from our recent consumer research, and 2021 briefings from Fáilte Ireland's Leadership team and industry panel.
