Last month, I was surprised that the main topic in my head returning to work after the summer was whether or not I still believed in regenerative tourism. I was even more surprised by the reaction to the article I wrote about it - I got more messages and emails in response than I've had to any previous article. I wasn't the only one wondering, it seems!
Some replies questioned whether we were right to believe in tourism even, whatever about regeneration. Those were the ones that really stumped me as it was not a question I had asked myself.
I was saddened that there are people who have dedicated much time and thought to tourism who no longer believe in it. In the face of enormous global challenges, it's easy to understand why. However, as I looked around me in North Clare this month, attended events and engaged with groups around the country and overseas, did research for an upcoming event, reflected on my own journey and that of friends and family, I'm wholeheartedly convinced that I believe in tourism.
I have experienced and seen and benefitted from too much good to not believe in it. Depending on how we frame it, I would go so far as to say that I think it has the potential to be a tonic for our times. And that's now my line of thought for the next month - how could tourism be a tonic for our times? I'd love to hear any thoughts on that one so please do get in touch if you'd like to share any.
For now, have a great month of October.
Beir bua
Collaboration gets a strong nod at most tourism events and in all tourism strategies and plans. At the recent Tourism Northern Ireland conference in Belfast, the idea was really brought to life in vivid and memorable ways - through the overall curation of the event, the messaging thread, stories, metaphors and people who spoke. Collaboration was in fact presented as the operating system for delivering Northern Ireland's tourism ambition.
It inspired this month's article which borrows heavily from three insights on the day that progressed my own thinking. In a sector dependent on the willing co-operation of people who have no obligation to co-operate, this day seemed to get right into the heart of that conundrum. Have a read and let me know what you think.
