Dundalk Chamber are hosting our annual Cross Border Tourism Conference – ‘Growing your visitors – Learning from the best’ supported by Failte Ireland, Dundalk Chamber Skillnet, Louth County Council and Local Enterprise Office Louth and sponsored by Zoma and Marshes Shopping Centre.
This conference includes a networking session that gives attendees the opportunity to meet the speakers on a one-to-one basis and visit all the trade exhibits at the event.
Programme
Visit Louth – A Vision for tourism in County Louth.
SPEAKER – Sabhbh Ní Mhaolagáin, Tourism Officer Louth County Council
Sabhbh is the Tourism Officer for Louth County Council, dedicated to promoting the culture and heritage of Louth and Ireland. With experience in the cultural and nonprofit sectors, she has worked with DCU Educational Trust, The Chester Beatty, and Na Píobairí Uilleann. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin in the History of Art and Architecture and Early Irish Language, she also holds an MA in Museum Practice and Management from Ulster University. Passionate about Irish culture, music, and art, Sabhbh strives to share the unique experiences of Ireland and Louth with the world.
An Example of a community focused hotel in a tourism town.
SPEAKER – Dónal Minihane, Hotel Doolin Co. Clare
Dónal worked in management positions with Great Southern Hotels and Choice Hotels Ireland and was part of the opening team for the Gibson Hotel Dublin before taking up the position of General Manager of Hotel Doolin and built a team that has developed Hotel Doolin into a nationally recognised brand by carving out a niche as Ireland’s foremost sustainable hotel, alternative wedding venue, culinary hotspot and cultural hub. Dónal is also the founder of the Doolin Folk Festival, Doolin Hedge School and Doolin Arts, is an award-winning published novelist and passionate about all things local.
The use of AI in Tourism
SPEAKER – David Kieran, ZOMA
David is the original visionary behind the award-winning agency ZOMA. He built his career base working across North America and became a self- taught web designer and digital marketer through his experiences working abroad. On returning he developed ZOMA into one of the leading marketing agencies in Ireland currently. As the Managing Director of ZOMA he works with hundreds of businesses, all of different sizes and industries.
Transforming adventure tourism destinations: new challenges, new players, new responsibilities, new opportunities
SPEAKER 1 – Professor Terry Stevens, Tourism Trend Analyst & Commentator
Terry has worked on a wide range of tourism development projects in 55 countries around the world. He has received numerous awards for his work and is widely regarded as an innovator in terms of finding solutions to challenging problems associated with tourism in sensitive environments. Much of his work has involved outdoor and adventure activities especially in the Highlands of Scotland, Norway, Slovenia, Slovakia and in Wales. He has chaired numerous Ministerial Summits and was the Chair of the UN World Tourism Organisation’s for Global Congress on Sports Tourism. He has written extensively on the subject with over 350 published works to his name.
SPEAKER 2 – Harry John, Head of Market Switzerland for Saint Elmo’s Tourism & owner of Pure Solution Ltd also Linking Brands Ltd Berne/Vienna
Experienced senior executive on strategical and operational level in the private and public sector. Various management positions on destination and agency level with focus on strategy, marketing, sales, communication, digital transformation, business development, project management.
OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory and Sperrins – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . Current visitor profile and value, collaborating with other tourism partners, what they think visitors are looking for and future plans
SPEAKER – Mary McKeown, Tourism Service Manager, Mid Ulster District Council
Her name is closely associated with the OM Dark Sky Park, a designation given to a special area of natural beauty known for its exceptional night sky views. The OM Dark Sky Park is located in County Tyrone and it encompasses a section of the Sperrin Mountains and the surrounding area.
Travel Trends for 2025
SPEAKER –Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with The Irish Independent & a regular contributor to National Geographic Traveller.
He has been voted Travel Writer of the Year in both Ireland and the UK, has been published all over the world, and as a travel expert features regularly on national TV & radio.