The road we are on..

The live events sector has been one of the hardest hit during the Covis 19 pandemic . Paul is the MD of Avcom ,40 years in business it is one of the largest companies in Ireland working in its field. It produces end-to,end technical & Creative Solutions for Virtual,Hybrid and live events. The company has had to re-invent itself over the last 18 months to work completely virtually. Even though it has been a really difficult time Paul and his team have taken it in their stride, just recently working on The French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Dublin and are looking forward to a brighter future where live and virtual events will work hand in hand.

George and Ella speak to us about their roles in Fair city . George speaks about the arrival of his new son Kody Bloom . They speak about the difficult audition process that all actors face. Ella speaks about her blog "i am a teenager get me out of here" and the challenges that young people face every day with social media pressure. We chat about their current story line and getting back to work during the covid crisis . We speak about their favorite actors and what shows they are watching and what shows they would really like to star in! And we get to hear who they would like to invite over for a dinner date!

On Today's Podcast we talk to Ruth Andrews and Rob Rankin from The Irish Tour Operators Association . We discuss the new guidelines for international Travel. Continued funding for 2021/2022. The return of staff to tourism businesses and the challenges that lie ahead for these companies. Trying to attract international tourists back to our country. How access routes by air will be different and will take some period to recover. The loss of further cruise tourism to Dublin and Ireland from next year. How the tourism industry is ready to get back to work and recover over the next few years.

Remarkable story about 24 year old Jack O Sullivan who is the Founder of MODMO, A company that is producing Modular electric bikes from its base in Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam. Jack started to import bikes from China at the tender age of 17 and assemble them in his garage in Cabinteely. He decided then to make several solo trips to China to source new products which it lead him to Vietnam where he is now leading his company Modmo and hopes to become one of the most successful electric bike manufactures in the World. He has raised over 1 million euro from investor funding over the last 4 months to move his company to the next level in development and production.. He sees growth in electric bikes on a massive scale over the next 10 years worldwide and some of that growth will be in the bike tourism market. A really great listen to such an impressive young man and certainly one to watch for the future. Check out their web page www.modmo.io

The Cruise industry has become one of the most popular form of tourism over the last 20 years. I am joined on the Podcast by Niamh McCarthy MD of Excursions and Crystal Morgan Director at Princess Cruises to discuss the industry and the challenges it faces to get back to operating cruise holidays again. We talk about the worldwide industry, How important the cruise industry is to Ireland generating 50 million euro each year before covid. Issues with Dublin Port,an investment of nearly 1 million euro in Belfast port for cruise terminal , how Guides/Drivers/Retail/Attractions all benefit from Cruise calls. The need for Dept of Tourism and Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland to put a cohesive strategy in place to attract theses ships and visitors to our shores. Vital for the Island of Ireland's tourism now more than ever as we face the long road to recovery.

Delighted today to be joined by Bruno Schmidt from Pro-Bus and Car and also from Optimum Chauffeur Drive we are joined by Mary McGrath and Sarah Higgins. We talk about the industry in General pre and post covid. The Important role that that this industry plays in the delivering a wonderful experience to visitors to Ireland. The different aspects of the industry (Business Clients/Leisure Tours/Transfers/Airline Transfers/Conferences/Concert Business). How they hope that Failte Ireland's upcoming funding will help many companies to survive and be in a position to get back to business when international travel returns. The arrival of electric cars to their industry and the fear that staff and drivers with such experience,professionalism and knowledge many not return to the industry

Frances Brennan from The Park Hotel joins me today on the Podcast. We talk about his early days in the Industry that brought him to The Park. Some great stories about his travels and his new project , The Lansdowne Hotel Kenmare. We talk about the re-opening of the Industry hopefully this summer and about his positive outlook on life and business. He talks about keeping a diary every day since 1966 ! We also take about some of the great staff holidays that The Team from The Park went on and the infamous grapefruit incident !!! A great chat with a great character.

Delighted to speak to Nicola McGrane on the Podcast. CEO of Conference Partners/Event Partners and Co- Chair of AIPCO.

Nicola speaks to me about here about her early days in the Industry after studying Music in UCD. Her respect for people in the industry that she worked with in the early days. The process of organising an international conference in Ireland. Strange requests that she and her team had to deal with during conference and delivering them. We talk about the number of strong women in the Irish tourism industry and how well respected they are home and abroad.

Finally we speak about the road-map to navigate our way out of Covid and how Ireland Inc needs to invest and be brave to make sure that we as a country are competing at the top table for International conferences

Paul Carty joins us on the podcast to discuss his long career in the Tourism Industry. From starting out in school in Dunshaughlin ,his time in  Shannon College of Hotel Management and then going on  become GM of Various 5 star hotels around the world. Then making the decision to return to Ireland to become the GM of The Guinness Storehouse. Increasing visitors from 300,000 PA to 1.8 million PA before he retired from the role in  2020. Paul  continues to be hugely involved in the Irish Tourism  Industry as is the current Interim Chairman of Failte Ireland. Paul is one of the true gentleman of the Industry and is well respect throughout the world.

Mike speaks to us today about the humble beginnings of Buckley Tours on Rock Road Killarney and the transformation over the years to Kerry Coaches, one of the largest Coach and Chauffeur companies in Ireland. We speak about the great characters in the tourism business, the early days of the golf tourism market in Ireland , the importance of Health and the challenges that Covid has brought to the entire tourism industry.

Luis Pedrero CEO of Cartours who operate over 50 vehicles in Madrid and president of (ANETRA - National Coach Company Federation) speaks to us about  the Coach and Tourism Industry in Spain. How they are dealing with the Covid restrictions and the challenges that Spanish Tour Operators are facing.  Luis is no stranger to Ireland having spent 5 summers in Cork as a young Spanish student. Really interesting insight in to current situation in Spain.

As The United Sates awaits the new Biden Administration to take over we speak to The ABA CEO Peter Pantuso about the Bus industry pre and post Covid. Established in 1926 the ABA represents over 800 private bus operators in The States as well as Tour operators and Travel Industry members . We talk about the Industry Pre Covid and the  challenges they have to overcome now  and his thoughts on  the new political landscape and how it will effect their industry. With family run  businesses closing weekly urgent action is needed for their very survival. 

Richard speaks to us today about his award winning coach Company Grey' of Ely based just outside Cambridge in the UK

Established in 1947 by his grandfather Charles Grey the company has grown from strength to strength over the years. He speaks about the current challenges for his company because of Covid 19 and the further challenges that lie ahead next year with Covid and Brexit. Many Irish operators are facing the same but really interesting to get a perspective from the UK market. Technology,Drivers,Leasing of coaches,Clients,Covid,Brexit ,New business opportunities and much more discussed on the coach and tourism industry.

On Today's podcast we speak to Joe Hayden from The Orchard Farm which is  is one of Ireland's leading corporate event centre's. 

The  Farm is one of the most innovative farms in Ireland and its link with Baileys Irish cream is world renowned.

Joe speaks to us about Business before covid and how they are adapting during this very difficult time for the tourism Industry.

Really interesting discussion on The Irish Whiskey Business with John Callely founder of Whiskey Island Tours and Tracey Flinter General Manager at Pearse Lyons Distillery in the heart of Dublin Liberties. We talk about the rise and fall of Irish Whiskey and how it has recovered a significant part of the world market share since 1990 and of course the wonderful Pearse  Lyons Distillery based at St James Church , another of Dublin's wonderful visitor attractions.

Epic Museum Another wonderful Visitor Attraction in the heart of Dublin features on The Podcast today. Aileesh talks to us about her career in the hospitality Tourism sector  and her Role as Director of Sales and Marketing at Epic Museum. Epic is dedicated to the story of the Irish and their extraordinary influence on the world and it really is worth a visit for all tourism professionals and families alike.

Over the next few Podcasts we are talking to Key people working in our Visitor Attractions. Today we speak to Aline Fitzgerald GM of The GPO Witness History Museum. The Museum, Housed in The GPO (The Oldest General Post Office still functioning in the world). It truly is a fantastic visit full of Historic information suitable for young and old alike .Aline tells us all about the Museum and the changes they have made and how they continue to welcome visitors from all over the country.

Ronan speaks about the current crisis in the Conference industry and how we must make sure that his members survive the short term and in turn Ireland Inc and tourism suppliers  will benefit in the long run.

On Today's Podcast we talk to Eoghan about his Role as CEO of ITIC ,The representative Body of The Irish Tourism Industry. 

The Huge Challenges all of its members are facing and what Role ITIC and The Government will play to help its recovery

Great chat with Mick and Nicole about how Guides have been coping during this very difficult time for Irish Tourism. Some great stories about times they have had on the road and how important Guides are to The Irish Tourism Industry.  The challenges ahead and how they are looking forward to getting back on the road and working again.

Allan from 5 star Killarney Park Hotel and Ronan  from 5 star Glenlo Abbey Hotel discuss the challenges they and their staff have had re-opening the Hotels and what the future might hold for the hotels and general tourism during these very difficult times.

Dynamic by name and dynamic by nature ! - A Great Chat with Richard on how the team at Dynamic Events have turned to Virtual Team Building events online during Covid Crisis.

Nothing can beat Face to Face team building events but this Irish company is now branching out all over the world to secure

new and valuable Business. 

Great chat with Sue & Yvonne with over 70 years experience between them in the Tourism Business.

Discussing business pre and post covid and how important Drivers ,Guides and suppliers are to their industry.

General discussion between the Patrick/Brian /Joe and Feargal about working in the Coach Tourism Business in Ireland

On This episode JJ Kavanagh and Dominic Hannigan discuss The Private Bus and Coach Sector reports and the Challenges facing the Industry as we try to overcome the Covid 19 Crisis. Scheduled Services have received some good news about support for services but the fight continues for support for the Tourism and Private Hire operators

General chat about The Irish Coach Industry with Caoimhe Kavanagh and Feargal Barton