T

THE man handed the responsibility of steering Ryanair out of its current difficulties and plotting a successful future for the low-cost carrier has been lined up as one of the keynote speakers at a major tourism conference planned for Killarney.

Peter Bellew, who has just been appointed to the high-profile position of chief operations officer with the airline, will be one of the guest speakers at the second annual Let’s Talk Tourism forum on Friday and Saturday, November 10/11.

He is leaving his post as chief executive of Malaysia Airlines to join Michael O’Leary in an airline he has worked for in the past. “I am excited to return home to Ryanair and take up the challenge to grow the operation sustainably,” he said.

Mr Bellew, 52, a native of Meath and a graduate of Trinity College, has been living in Fossa, Killarney for several years. He is married to Grainne and they have four children.

He previously worked with Kerry Airport as marketing manager and airport manager and later became director of flight operations with Ryanair before being headhunted by Malaysia Airlines.

Other key speakers at the one-day forum in the Brehon Hotel will include Fáilte Ireland chief executive
Paul Kelly, Mark Henry of Tourism Ireland, Fiona Monaghan, head of the Wild Atlantic Way project at Fáilte Ireland, Guinness Storehouse boss Paul Carty, Minister of State for Tourism Brendan Griffin and Kerry County Council CEO Moira Murrell.

Also on the panel will be John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas, John Brennan of the Park Hotel, Kenmare, B+B Ireland CEO Helena Healy, travel and food writers Eoghan Corry and Pól Ó Conghaile and Solas chief Paul O’Toole.

Let’s Talk Tourism is a forum for the grassroots of all sectors within tourism to discuss and debate the industry going forward. Issues to be addressed include regionalisation and seasonality, access, skills and manpower and digital trends.

The forum moderator will be broadcaster Olivia O’Leary and the event chairperson is Killarney-based Margaret Cahill who previously headed up operations for Bord Fáilte and, later, Tourism Ireland in North America, Canada and the UK. “This event will have appeal to a cross section of senior professionals. This a not-for-profit event as it is simply an attempt to create a vibrant and meaningful debate on some current aspects of travel and tourism,” Ms Cahill said.

To attend the conference or for further information contact 064-7767181 or email: bookings@ntf.ie
 

 
Above: At the launch of the National Tourism Forum/Let's Talk Tourism Conference which takes place in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney, on November 10 and 11 were front from left, Emer Corridan, IHF, Sean Healy, AIB and Margaret Cahill, Chairperson, NTF. At back, Ciara O'Grady, NTF, Paul O'Neill, President, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and Joan McCarthy, Kerry County Council. Pic: Don MacMonagle