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AVEA Conference 2019 at Thomond Park highlights Limerick’s Visitor Experiences and Attractions

Picture: Keith Wiseman

Avea Conference 2019 launch – Association of Visitor Experience & Attractions 2019 Conference – Ann Daly, Pat O Suilleabhain, Niall O’Callaghan, Philip Boucher Hayes, Denise Brophy, Paul Mockler (Failte Ireland) Ray Dempsey, Amanda Horan (Failte Ireland) Grainne Kelliher, Paul Carty, Mike Counihan. Picture: Keith Wiseman

AVEA Conference 2019 at Thomond Park highlights Limerick’s Visitor Experiences and Attractions

The AVEA (Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions) National Conference 2019 was opened by Paul Carty, AVEA Chairman and Managing Director, Diageo Irish Brand Homes. The theme of the conference, taking place in Thomond Park, Limerick is ‘Ireland’s VEA Sector – Vibrant, Evolving and Agile’.  Over the two days, delegates will hear from keynote speaker James Bailey, Marketing Director, Longleat House & Safari Park, entrepreneur, and broadcaster Bobby Kerr, as well as a host of other panelists as the challenges and opportunities facing the sector,  will be discussed and debated.

In his opening address, Paul Carty outlined the importance of the VEA industry and its contribution to the Irish economy: “Our recently published Annual Members Survey showed that 2018 was a record year for Irish tourism. Our members, who employ nearly 4,000 people nationwide, welcomed 22.6 million visitors and generated €489 million in revenue, much of which flows into local economies. However, the survey also highlights significant challenges facing our sector in 2019.”


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Incoming AVEA Chairman Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director of Shannon Groups tourist attraction company, Shannon Heritage, commented; “Unfortunately 2019 has not lived up to visitor expectations so far, and while the VEA sector remains positive, performance will be down by up to 10% on 2018.  Clouds are gathering on the horizon for Irish tourism; Brexit, market competitiveness and more unstable geo-social and political environments in many of our key international markets. Now is the time for a close working relationship with the government to realize how a championed VEA sector can play an even greater role in neutralizing some of these obvious challenges. Tourism is a vital part of the national economy, creating jobs in rural Ireland where other industries are not located.”

 AVEA Conference 2019

At the AVEA – Association of Visitor Experience & Attractions Conference 2019 in Thomond Park, Limerick, launching the AVEA Biodiversity Initiative are Dr. Liam Lisaght, Director National Biodiversity Centre, Philip Boucher Hayes, Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director, Shannon Heritage (& Chairman AVEA), Grainne Kelliher, CEO Airfield (& Director AVEA), and Jennifer McConnell General Manager Irish Seed Savers. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Niall also cited the increasing costs of doing business as a real concern, impacting competitiveness of the entire tourism industry; “The continued increase in insurance premiums are well-documented and will damage the sectors’ ability to evolve and grow – in some cases our members have had to cancel events as insurance premiums simply make them unsustainable.”

Paul Carty added; “The AVEA annual survey of members also identified the negative impact the increased VAT rate is having on our sector, with some members working on far tighter margins than ever before in order to remain price competitive, as well as concerns regarding funding for capital intensive heritage attractions given their importance as national treasures. These are real concerns that we want to work collaboratively with the government to ensure a future-proofed VEA sector.”

At the conference, AVEA also launched its first Responsible Tourism Initiative with the National Biodiversity Centre Director Liam Lysaght, who is speaking at the event. Grainne Kelliher, CEO of Airfield estate and Vice-Chair of AVEA said; ‘A core initiative for 2019 was to develop a Responsible Tourism Charter to enable our members to develop or enhance their own sustainable tourism policies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector and protect our many heritage treasures so that future generations can continue to enjoy them. AVEA attractions are firmly rooted in Ireland’s cultural heritage and have survived countless generations; their ongoing prosperity is integral to delivering the narrative of our history.”

Grainne continued; “Climate change is a key consideration for everyone and every business, we want to act now to address this challenge. It is also becoming important for visitors when choosing a holiday destination too.  Many AVEA members have been actively engaged in sustainable practices – water and energy conservation, environmental protection and conservation, waste management and accessibility.  We now need to show and tell our visitors how seriously we take sustainability, by raising the bar to drive the sustainability ethos amongst our AVEA members, the communities in which we are located and in the wider Irish tourism industry.”

AVEA – Association of Visitor Experience and Attractions – is an all-island body representing the Visitor Attractions Sector of the Tourism Industry. AVEA represents and provides advocacy for members to Government, tourism agencies, media, and the tourism industry. Networking amongst the members is central to the association’s objectives to enable the organization to provide supports in training, benchmarking and advocacy initiatives to assist our members continually improve the visitor experience.

For more information on AVEA click here.

For more stories on what’s going on in Limerick click here.

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.