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THE great employment and training opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality sector in Kerry will be clearly outlined at a high-profile event in Killarney at the weekend.

One of the key speakers at the Let’s Talk Tourism forum at The Brehon Hotel will be Paul O’Toole who is the head of Solas, the state organisation with responsibility for funding, planning and co-ordinating further education and training programmes in the country.

His organisation has been tasked with building the identity and values of a world-class, integrated education and skills sector that is responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changing economy.

“We believe that by providing a further education and training sector that is tailored to the needs of learners, employers and communities, we can harness the individual’s skills, strengthen the economy and promote social togetherness,” said Mr O’Toole, a former director general of FÁS who also served as chief executive of Tourism Ireland and general manager of Bord Fáilte.

Other key speakers at the forum 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.

The forum will commence on Friday morning with an opening address from event chairperson Margaret Cahill and topics on the agenda for the day include the importance of the tourism industry, regionality and seasonality, planning, skills and manpower, digital trends, food tourism, air access and screen tourism.

In addition to the keynote speakers, there will be a frank exchange of views and opinions in a series of expert panel discussions with participants to include John Brennan of the Park Hotel, Kenmare, Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Helena Healy of B&B Ireland, travel writers Eoghan Corry and Pól Ó Conghaile, David McCarthy of AIB and Bernadette Enright of the Hospitality, Education and Training Centre.

Friday night will involve a business networking dinner in The Malton Hotel and on Saturday forum delegates and their guests will enjoy a visit to the Skellig Coast and Valentia Island.

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