TWO WORKSHOPS outlining the vision of the recently established Community Tourism Centres and the programme of training presentation modules planned were hosted by Una Bhán Tourism in Roscommon and Boyle.
Roscommon LEADER Partnership (RLP) with the support of Roscommon County Council is funding a training programme that is based around the theme of the “Community Tourism Centre”.
The programme is directed at members of five tourism communities throughout the county, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Roosky, and Tulsk in the north of the county and Drum (Athlone) and Roscommon in the south.
Fiona Candon, training & business consultant with First Western, outlined important trends and statistics that highlighted how important cultural heritage was to the modern day tourist. Fiona will deliver a ‘Packaging and Bundling’ workshop in Boyle and Drum on October 8th and 9th.
Dr. Niall Brady, a highly experienced professional archaeologist whose work in 2002-10 for the Discovery Programme across north Roscommon focused on a key excavation in the centre of Tulsk village, also gave a presentation to the Community Tourism Training course. He highlighted the very rich archaeological and historic architectural remains that exist across the county, much of which remains undiscovered by the wider public.
Dr. Brady outlined a set of simple steps to help community groups create a successful tourist experience where cultural heritage was a key driving force. These included: knowing what sites and areas existed in their locality and how to access them safely; being accessible, either as a physical presence within a village area, having proper brochures and maps, or online using the worldwide web; and being connected, where the community group had contacts with other groups, tourist providers and with the county so that they were part of the vast and necessary network of people and businesses that provide the means with which the tourist experiences the county at its best.
It is hoped that the training programme will provide the necessary overview for community groups to develop initiatives or to enhance their current programmes. Contact Patricia Golden, Una Bhan Tourism 071 9663033 or unabhan@indigo.ie for a list of training presentation modules taking place over the coming weeks that are open to anyone with an interest in promoting tourism in County Roscommon.
