Tourism Sector SME’s can avail of up to €2,500 to support getting customers engaged online

Tourism Sector SME’s can avail of up to €2,500 to support getting customers engaged online

 

Tourism SME’s across the County are being encouraged to avail of the Online Trading Voucher Application available from Carlow County Councils – Local Enterprise Office with an application workshop being held on 7th September 2020 @ 2.00pm-3.00pm.

Aine Carey , Enterprise Executive with the Local Enterprise Office said “we would encourage Tourism SMEs in the County to consider apply for this funding and to date in County Carlow over €230,000 worth of vouchers have been approved to local companies and we are hosting this seminar in particular for Tourism businesses who wish to avail of the scheme which is open for applications until 30th September 2020”. The seminar will include an overview of the scheme and how to get the most from the funding and expert advice from Tina O’Dwyer from The Tourism Space.

Attendance at the seminar is compulsary for anyone who wants to apply for the scheme.

Explaining the seen benefits of the scheme , Carey continued to say “Businesses and companies that remain offline are missing out, not only on the opportunity to pivot their business model in tackling the current challenges, but also in being part of Ireland’s future digital economy.”

Tourism and hospitality businesses with up to 10 employees can apply for the scheme. The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is designed to assist small businesses with up to 10 employees to trade more online, boost sales and reach new markets. Participating in this scheme can make the process of trading online much easier for you.

It offers financial assistance of up to €2,500 with co-funding of 10% from the business* along with training and advice to help your business trade online. Cutting the cost of developing your online trading capacity by up to 90% can make this investment very affordable for many small businesses out there.*

Making informed decisions is vital for all business, so the free help and training provided by your local enterprise office in the delivery of this scheme puts you in a position to decide what is best for your business. The training sessions cover various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide on what trading online options, are right for your business.

Speaking about the support to the Tourism Sector in particular the support for helping businesses get online , Tom O’Neill , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said  “This funding will provide crucial support in these very challenging times. It will also ensure that enterprises are building the capacity now which will see them well positioned to take advantage of the digital transformation into the future, as more and more consumers take their business online.”

“The ability to trade online has become more and more valuable as we move through the phases of re-opening the economy” O’Neill concluded by saying “A quality online presence compliments your existing bricks and mortar business and allows you to advertise and trade to a much wider customer base”. To book a place on the seminar log onto www.localenterprise.ie/carlow or call 059/9129783

Notes

 

Trading Online Voucher Seminar – Tourism Sector – Your Business could be eligible for up to €2,500 support to get business online

 

7th September 2020 2.00pm Zoom

 

Local Enterprise Office Carlow have identified the huge hit that tourism has taken in recent months due to Covid -19. We are hosting an online information session for the Tourism Sector. You will learn everything you need to know about the Trading Online Voucher Scheme and how to use it to your advantage. We will be joined by Tina O’Dwyer – The Tourism Space.

This is your chance to meet with other businesses in the tourism sector who are dealing with the same issues and to discuss ways to help your online platform to develop your business.

Tina O’Dwyer is a professionally certified coach, mentor and facilitator who works exclusively with tourism professionals.  She and has been recognised as a Thought Leader in High Performance Tourism by the Irish Business All Star Federation.

Tina is the founder of The Tourism Space, which specialises in offering coaching, training and mentoring supports to business owners and industry leaders in tourism. She has worked with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Scottish tourism authorities and a large number of county councils and destinations around Ireland.

The online platform www.thetourismspace.com is emerging as a training and networking platform, offering accessible and affordable training and networking opportunities to tourism entrepreneurs worldwide.