County Carlow Visitor experience in focus with Tourism Upskilling Programmes

Carlow County Council in partnership with Carlow Tourism & Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board are offering free places for QQI Level 4 Tourism Visitor Care Programme & QQI Level 5 Tourism Principles and Practice under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme commencing during Local Enterprise Week 2019.

Two free programmes are being hosted with the aim of upskilling tourism providers and community ambassadors and interested parties to further their knowledge in order to enhance the Tourism Visitor Experience in the County.

Speaking about the programmes , Eileen O’Rourke , Chief Executive Officer of Carlow Tourism said “we in Carlow Tourism are delighted to offer these supports to our members and the wider community in County Carlow as part our continued work under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme” , O’Rourke continued “tourism has a significant economic impact in our rural communities and one way we can enhance the visitor experience is by having a group of trained guides and professional volunteers who understand the needs of the visitor and tell the unique local story that County Carlow has as part of Ireland’s Ancient East”.

The Level 4 in Visitor Tourism Care will be held in Tinryland and commences on 5th March 2018 and learners will gain insight into an overview of the tourism industry and its role in Ireland's social and economic life, Culture and heritage, Customer Care, local amenities. The course includes bus tours of the county taking in key visitor attractions.

The Level 5 - Tourism Principles and Practice  Programme will be held in Myshall, commences on 7th March 2019 which will help users gain insight into the major sectors which make up the modern tourist industry and understand the range of types of tourism and their relevance in the national tourist market, including incoming, outgoing, domestic, business, leisure, excursions,   adventure, cultural, package, independent, personal and eco-tourism, factors which have influenced the growth and development of tourism nationally and internationally .

Speaking at the launch of the programme Sarah Barron , Adult Education Officer with Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board said “we are delighted to be working in partnership with Carlow Tourism & Carlow County Council on the delivery of these accredited programmes in the heart of Carlow communities” , Barron continued to say “lifelong learning is  at the core of the ethos of the Education and Training Board and we are delighted to offer these free programmes to rural communities. We hope these opportunities can make a big impact on their own communities and organisations”.

The County Carlow Town & Village Business Support Programme funded by Department of Rural & Community Development is co-ordinated by Pauline Hoctor , Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office in Carlow County Council said “we encourage interested parties to come forward and take advantage of this free opportunity” , Hoctor continued to say “we are delighted during 2019 to offer a variety of supports under the Town & Village Support Programme in the area of Tourism , Business Development for Retail , Hospitality & Local Services Sectors and Online Technology Development”.

Since the establishment of a the Town & Village Scheme , Carlow County Council has delivered a variety of projects and speaking about the Tourism benefits from the scheme , Kathleen Holohan , Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “we are delighted to once again spearhead this opportunity for Rural Development with a particular focus on the Tourism Industry” , Holohan continued to say “in 2019 we have a great opportunity to showcase our County with events like the National Ploughing Championships with thousands of visitors and it’s important we play our part in promoting the county but also in supporting our Tourism Industry to ensure they are supported by training opportunities focused on the visitor experience which is in line with Fáilte Ireland policy”.

Places are free and allocated on a first come , first booked basis and to  book a place call 059-9129783 or log onto https://www.localenterprise.ie/Carlow/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/

ENDS

For further information contact Pauline Hoctor  on 059-9129783 phoctor@carlowcoco.ie or Kieran Comerford on 0868252037 kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie

 County Carlow Visitor Experience Photo