Menu
03/05/2023
Mentoring Programme 'Invaluable' For NI Tourism Businesses
A total of 45 tourism businesses across Northern Ireland have benefitted from an innovative mentoring project, which aims to ensure long-term sustainability.
Tourism NI's Kickstart programme provided almost 630 mentoring days in four main areas: financial and business model restructuring; digital innovation; recruitment; and talent development and sustainability.
First launched in October 2021, the programme provides businesses with free access to independent expert advice and support, to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness amongst tourism businesses as the industry worked to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Tourism NI, which invested £890,000 in the second phase of the programme, participating businesses collectively attract more than three million visitors per year and employ 4,000 full-time staff.
Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development at Tourism NI, said: "Tourism NI's Kickstart Programme has provided tangible expert support to more than 40 businesses this year, focusing on some of the many challenges facing the sector including operational effectiveness and the pressing need to be more sustainable.
"This support will enable Northern Ireland businesses to compete more effectively and continue their recovery in what continues to be a very challenging operating environment."
Belinda Hunter, Operations and Visitor Experience Officer at The Linen Hall Library, which took part in the programme, described the support provided by Kickstart as "invaluable".
"The marketing training was eye opening as we didn't realise until pointed out that we already have most of the right things in place being a library, museum and archive with events to share knowledge, we just need to let people know what we are doing," she said.
"The carbon footprint calculation and resource audit with SDS is a fantastic resource as it gives us a path for what we need to do to move towards net zero and grants for funding which will enable us to implement what is needed.
"As we are a charity with limited funds the Kickstart project was invaluable to us."
Tourism NI's Kickstart programme provided almost 630 mentoring days in four main areas: financial and business model restructuring; digital innovation; recruitment; and talent development and sustainability.
First launched in October 2021, the programme provides businesses with free access to independent expert advice and support, to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness amongst tourism businesses as the industry worked to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Tourism NI, which invested £890,000 in the second phase of the programme, participating businesses collectively attract more than three million visitors per year and employ 4,000 full-time staff.
Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development at Tourism NI, said: "Tourism NI's Kickstart Programme has provided tangible expert support to more than 40 businesses this year, focusing on some of the many challenges facing the sector including operational effectiveness and the pressing need to be more sustainable.
"This support will enable Northern Ireland businesses to compete more effectively and continue their recovery in what continues to be a very challenging operating environment."
Belinda Hunter, Operations and Visitor Experience Officer at The Linen Hall Library, which took part in the programme, described the support provided by Kickstart as "invaluable".
"The marketing training was eye opening as we didn't realise until pointed out that we already have most of the right things in place being a library, museum and archive with events to share knowledge, we just need to let people know what we are doing," she said.
"The carbon footprint calculation and resource audit with SDS is a fantastic resource as it gives us a path for what we need to do to move towards net zero and grants for funding which will enable us to implement what is needed.
"As we are a charity with limited funds the Kickstart project was invaluable to us."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2024
SDLP Calls For Action On Food Bank Crisis
The SDLP has called on the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, to outline how he intends to tackle food bank reliance across Northern Ireland.
SDLP Calls For Action On Food Bank Crisis
The SDLP has called on the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, to outline how he intends to tackle food bank reliance across Northern Ireland.
26 October 2021
New Tourism Recovery Programme Launched
A new scheme has been announced to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness amongst tourism businesses as the industry recovers from the pandemic The COVID Recovery Kick Start Programme is a business improvement and implementation support programme which will provide tourism businesses with free access to a range of advisory and mentori
New Tourism Recovery Programme Launched
A new scheme has been announced to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness amongst tourism businesses as the industry recovers from the pandemic The COVID Recovery Kick Start Programme is a business improvement and implementation support programme which will provide tourism businesses with free access to a range of advisory and mentori
27 October 2021
Belfast Makes Top 20 List Of Most Sustainable Destinations In The World
Belfast has made the Top 20 official list of sustainable destinations in the world, recognised as a leading city tourism destination committed to sustainable development and growth.
Belfast Makes Top 20 List Of Most Sustainable Destinations In The World
Belfast has made the Top 20 official list of sustainable destinations in the world, recognised as a leading city tourism destination committed to sustainable development and growth.
27 January 2010
Tourism Matters In Focus
Whether it is 'flying your kite' surfing off Benone, (pictured) or enjoying cultural tourism in west Belfast, the way tourism is marketed has been in focus this week. Both an advance - and a more backward step - in tourism matters were highlighted yesterday as two politicians spoke out on making the most of visitor numbers.
Tourism Matters In Focus
Whether it is 'flying your kite' surfing off Benone, (pictured) or enjoying cultural tourism in west Belfast, the way tourism is marketed has been in focus this week. Both an advance - and a more backward step - in tourism matters were highlighted yesterday as two politicians spoke out on making the most of visitor numbers.
07 January 2009
Paving The Road To Sales Growth
As the credit crunch continues to bite, the battle to grow sales is an ever more important one for businesses to win. However, small businesses are being given a competitive advantage, thanks to Belfast City Council's latest development initiative.
Paving The Road To Sales Growth
As the credit crunch continues to bite, the battle to grow sales is an ever more important one for businesses to win. However, small businesses are being given a competitive advantage, thanks to Belfast City Council's latest development initiative.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
