Recognising Cultural and Heritage Opportunities
European Focus on exploring Ireland as a Cultural and Heritage Destination
As part of a European project, Momentum [educate + innovate] have announced details of an event in Leitrim with the theme of developing Cultural and Heritage Destinations. Aimed at tourism SMEs and entrepreneurs, educators, policy makers and business support providers, the event in Manorhamilton will hear from speakers with close connections to the subjects of cultural heritage and tourism.
This event is free and it will take place in the Castle Café, in Manorhamiton Castle, Leitrim on April 2nd 2019. Notably, this conference is a multiplier event, during which Laura Magan, Tourism and European Projects Specialist at Momentum [educate + innovate], will launch a new Erasmus+ European project entitled “Recognising Cultural and Heritage Opportunities for Tourism SMEs” (ROOTS).
During this event, tourism SMEs will learn innovative strategies to develop their operations, engage new target markets and compete on a global level. Moreover, they will hear from expert European and local guest speakers with solid academic and industry experience, who will share their expertise relating to this project and subject area.
Among the speakers, Sarah Malone, Heritage Officer with Leitrim County Council, will talk about her involvement in the coordination and implementation of the County Leitrim Heritage Plan. As part of her role, Ms. Malone carries out heritage surveys, works with other specialists in the local authority, promotes heritage and assists in organising local heritage events, to name just a few of her responsibilities.
James Kennell, Principal Lecturer in Tourism, Events and Hospitality at the University of Greenwich and Executive Director of the London Office of the International Tourism Studies Association, will be giving a speech entitled “Using Events to Promote Your Cultural Heritage Destinations: A European Perspective”. James carries out research into the public policy and political economy aspects of tourism, as well as into cultural and non-corporate events. He has published a number of articles, book chapters and other papers and is a regular contributor to a range of media such as BBC News, China Daily, BBC Radio 4 and The Guardian newspaper.
Michael Hughes is one of the founding members and Chairperson of Trim Tourism Network (TTN). TTN promotes Trim as a destination town and visitor hub for the greater Boyne Valley and Ireland’s Ancient East. Mr. Hugues will be giving a speech focusing on the theme of “Owning Your Own Growth as a Dedicated Regional Tourism Network”.
Also speaking at the event will be Lennard Drogendijk, founder of Business Development Friesland (BDF). BDF forms the link between business, education and government and supports organisations in realising their economic, international and social ambitions. BDF is a member of the European Business Innovation Centre Network (EBN), an international organisation with more than 200 incubators as members.
The event will also feature speeches by Caitriona Bergin, Business Development & Marketing Manager of The Castle Café and Margaret Connolly, representing Manorhamilton & District Historical Society.
The multiplier event brings together the work of “Recognising Cultural and Heritage Opportunities for Tourism SMEs” (ROOTS), a two year, pan European and cross-sectoral project developed in Denmark, The Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Romania and the UK and is funded through the Erasmus+ programme.
Places are limited and can be booked by contacting laura@momentumconsulting.ie or registering on the event page on Eventbrite. More information regarding ROOTS is available on the project website – www.rootsproject.eu
