Meath Tourism News

Onwards and Upwards Conference-Meath County Council and Meath Tourism Conference

‘Tourism providers in Meath need to continuously monitor the market and adapt their business to a changing environment, raise their standards and always be innovative in their product offering,’ delegates to the Onwards and Upwards Meath County Council and Meath Tourism Conference were told on Tuesday by Cathaoirleach Meath County Council, Cllr. Nick Killian.

More than 100 tourism providers and businesses from all over County Meath converged on the Ashbourne Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, May 20th to attend the Onwards and Upwards Conference organised by Meath County Council and Meath Tourism.  County Meath has experienced unprecedented development in the tourism industry over the past two years.  Such growth has also been matched with significant competition.  In response, Meath County Council and Meath Tourism decided to host their first Tourism Conference to assist businesses to meet with the challenges ahead. 

The keynote speaker Peter Malone, Chairman of the National Roads Authority explained to delegates, ‘by 2010, Meath will have 4 completed motorways running through the County.’ Peter encouraged delegates ‘to think about the opportunities that this will hold for County Meath’s tourism industry’ and called the tourism industry in Meath ‘to work together.’

Tom Dowling, County Manager, chaired the Conference and was delighted with the reaction from the tourism trade in Meath.  Speaking after the conference, he said, ‘Meath County Council took the initiative in establishing a new Economic Development and Innovation Department to give further status to the attraction of new investment to the County.  This department works with the industry to assist them in meeting the new challenges ahead.’

Further speakers included John Quinlivan, Regional Manager for County Clare at Shannon Development, one of the most successful Tourism Counties in Ireland who provided practical examples of how groups have worked together successfully to ensure business stays within their area.  Paul McQuillan, MD Cusack Hotels spoke about the opportunities for Meath including the new hospital which could make Meath a ‘Centre for Medical Conferences’.  Kevin Stewart, Director of Economic Development and Innovation at Meath County Council spoke about the supports that this newly created section can offer businesses.  Finally, Rachel Doyle, MD of the Arboretum, outlined the story of her rise to success and how working as a team means everything at the 5 star garden centre in Carlow.

The Chairman of Meath Tourism, Cllr. John V Farrelly brought the day to a close by encouraging the delegates to think about what the speakers main messages were including working together in partnership and ensuring the Meath becomes a premier tourism destination.

Meath Tourism works in tandem with Meath County Council to encourage the improvement and development of new tourism products in County Meath. This conference brought tourism providers together to network and share ideas while also learning from the experiences of the speakers.