Kildare tourism and hospitality businesses gather for strategy meeting
Aine Fitzgerald (Shackleton Experience), John Walsh (The Club Hotel at Goffs) and Shannon Smullen (The Club Hotel at Goffs)
Into Kildare, the tourism body for Co Kildare in association with Kildare County Council, hosted its members' event recently at the historic Kilkea Castle in Athy.
The event brought together a strong representation of tourism, hospitality, and attraction providers from across Kildare, fostering connections, industry discussions, and strategic planning aimed at shaping the future of tourism in the region. This event was held in partnership with the EU Just Transition Fund Activator Helen Mulhall.
Over 75 tourism professionals, hospitality leaders, and industry stakeholders were in attendance, reflecting a vibrant energy and shared passion for Kildare’s tourism sector.
The event commenced with a welcome address from Áine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare, who provided updates on recent initiatives and outlined key objectives for the year ahead, both domestically and internationally. Ms Mangan emphasized the importance of facilitating these networking opportunities, stressing the critical role of regenerative and slow tourism in County Kildare.
She highlighted the involvement of local communities and volunteers in providing an authentic experience for visitors, reinforcing the county’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism development.
Guest speaker Tina O’Dwyer, delivered a keynote speech focusing on regenerative, sustainable, and slow tourism. These insights provided attendees with actionable strategies to develop tourism experiences that not only attract visitors but also contribute positively to local communities and the environment. Their address sparked engaging discussions among members on how Kildare can further establish itself as a leader in sustainable tourism.
To encourage networking and engagement, the event featured an interactive Tourism Bingo session, where participants connected with fellow attendees while answering industry-related questions.
The panel discussion on the potential of regenerative and slow tourism in Kildare evolved into an open-floor conversation, allowing attendees to share insights, ask questions, and explore opportunities for sustainable growth. The discussion reinforced the importance of balancing tourism development with environmental responsibility and community well-being.
The network was also provided an overview of the latest EU sustainability directives and their impact on the tourism industry.
The event concluded with Ms Mangan expressing gratitude to all attendees, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and looking forward to the next event.
“It was fantastic to see such passion in the room for Kildare’s tourism industry. Bringing together our network and guests to connect, exchange ideas, and learn is essential in building a strong and sustainable tourism offering. We were delighted to collaborate with our Just Transition activator, Helen Mulhall, in providing these opportunities and look forward to our next event.” The Into Kildare members event demonstrated the commitment to sustainable tourism and community-driven growth in the county.
