Chamber Cross Border Tourism Conference a huge success

DUNDALK Chamber held their first in person Cross Border Tourism Conference in the beautiful surroundings of the Four Seasons Carlingford on the 29th March. The event had been moved on line due to covid restrictions for the past 3 years so it was great to have all attendees under the one roof.

With over 200 booked in the event was a resounding success.

The event was sponsored by Louth Local Development , Louth County Council, Local Enterprise Office Louth , Newry Chamber and The Marshes Shopping Centre.

The event brought experts together from various Tourism projects around ireland and the UK so that tourism providers could replicate it in their own business. There were practical tips and workshops on how to improve your tourism business so as to increase sales and boost attendance figures at their attraction!

There were five key speakers at the event including and the event was chaired by Kieran Swail of the Southern Regional College with oonagh Messette from the Celtic Routes Project outlined how the project has evolved with the creation of a diverse range of digital assets such as Celtic Connections which is a “compendium of experiences to connect visitors to the Celtic Spirit.”

Brendan McSherry Heritage Officer with Louth County Council chairing the question and answer session at the end.

Frank o’Brien, Chair of Louth Leader Partnership restated the Company’s position in supporting the event.

Collette Moss of Louth County Council outlined the Council’s commitment to events and Trails such as The Festival of Lights, The Tain Trail, Sea Louth, and a planned St Brigid’s Festival. Collette also acknowledged the work of the Louth enterprise Office in supporting micro businesses.

Wayne Denner introduced new concepts of “return on relationships” and “human-centered marketing” and demonstrated the application of ChatGPT to tourism. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot that allows humanlike conversations.

Frazer Coupland from Lochaber Chamber of Commerce discussed how the Chamber’s “outdoor Capital of the UK” brand evolved and the challenges and op- portunities of managing visitors and peak times and in the shoulder season.

Brendan McSherry, Heritage Officer with Louth County Council thanked the organizing committee, the sponsors, the presenters, and Kieran Swail, from Southern Regional College for facilitating the Conference. Brendan concluded that the common thread of the Conference was the importance of people, community, and relationships

There was an opportunity for attendees to network at the breaks and during lunch and visit the 30 trade stands on the day.