Guest speaker Tanya Cathcart, Wendy McChesney, chairperson of Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism and Rodney Watson, Killyhevlin Hotel
IT HAS been a massive year for Fermanagh tourism, and last week, this was acknowledged at the annual general meeting of local tourist providers, held in the Lough Erne Resort.
Wendy McChesney, the chairman of Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, acknowledged the economic challenges, with all members having to work that much harder to secure business.
She then listed some of the major events that had taken place over the last 12 months, including the Olympic Flame, the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, The Queen’s visit to Enniskillen, the ‘Blandings’ television series which was filmed at Crom Castle, The Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival, and the 60th anniversary celebrations at Castle Coole.
Mrs McChesney also acknowledged the funding received through the Rural Development Programme that was enabling Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism to carry out increased marketing activity both within Ireland and overseas.
She went on: “Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism has continued to implement its own marketing activity at both a strategic and tactical level.
“This is only possible with the continued support of all of you in the private sector who make up the membership base.
“Your contribution is vital.”She welcomed the opportunity to interact with FLT’s public sector colleagues, and commented: “It has been very beneficial to have this level of interaction between the public and private sectors, especially since tourism is such an important industry for the county.”
Tanya Cathcart, Marketing Manager of Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, explained that FLT is one of the partners involved in the Destination Fermanagh strategy.”
She continued, “We are heavily involved in the formulation and implementation of the Tourism Area Plan and Priority Action Plan.
“This strategic work also needs priority as the development of additional products, initiatives and events all have an impact on the marketing priorities.”
Turning to the G8, Mrs Cathcart said “We have a wonderful opportunity to showcase Fermanagh. We are hoping that funds can be secured to enable us to capitalise on the opportunity that the G8 will bring to Fermanagh.”
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