The first-ever northern AVEA conference has taken place at Hillsborough Castle, gathering over 60 key decision-makers in the tourism sector to discuss opportunities for enhancing visitor growth through collaboration among various tourist attractions and experiences across Ireland.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy emphasized the importance of visitor attractions in drawing two million overseas visitors to the six counties, highlighting how tourism has flourished due to the peace process and the economic benefits it brings to local communities.
The event showcased successful collaborative case studies, such as partnerships between National Museums NI (presented by NMNI CEO, Kathryn Thomson), and the National Library of Ireland (presented by Dr Audrey Whitty, NLI Director), and between Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (presented by Carol Corvan, Head of Corporate Services) and Birr Castle Demesne (presented by Grainne O’Malley, special projects consultant). Other speakers include Heather McLachlan, Regional Director – NI, National Trust, and Michael Counahan, Director of CHL & Associates.
AVEA aims to make the conference an annual event, promoting dialogue and exchange of ideas within the tourism community to further enhance the visitor experience and support the growth of regional tourism.
The Chair of AVEA, Anne O’Donoghue shared: “Collaboration and advocacy are the lifeblood of AVEA, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, and have been key to our success since the association was established in 2017 by the tourism sector. What better setting for instigating purposeful conversations with colleagues in Northern Ireland, exchanging learnings and ideas, and developing constructive dialogue around our shared culture, heritage and stories than historic Hillsborough Castle.”
Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Laura McCorry shared: “It is fitting that an important conversation around collaboration and the sharing of expertise should take place here at Hillsborough – not only as a place of significance in our history, but as a visitor attraction primed to receive investment as part of the Belfast City and Growths Deal. Tourism has been central to our success since opening our doors to visitors in 2019, and the wider tourism sector benefits when we exchange ideas, industry knowledge and success stories.”
In closing remarks, Catherine Flanagan, CEO of AVEA shared: “We are delighted with the success of AVEA’s first industry conference in the north and hope to make this an annual event as part of our rolling programme of dialogue, information share and exchange with the wider visitor attractions community here. Visitor Attractions play a crucial role in helping to create magical memories for overseas and domestic holidaymakers.”
