Humanities News
Posted 15 June 2011
International Tourism Conference a Success at AIT
As part of AIT’s fortieth anniversary celebrations, the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies hosted a very successful seventh annual Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC) on 14-15 June 2011.
The theme of the conference “Smart Thinking in Tourism”, a timely topic, created much interest and attracted both national and international delegates.
The conference launch, held in Athlone Civic Centre, on Tuesday 14 June, set the scene for the event, affording delegates from academia and industry an opportunity to engage with each other and network with invited guests, in a relaxed and convivial environment, in advance of the formal proceedings on the following day.
At the official opening on Wednesday 15 June, delegates were addressed by Sheila Buckley-Byrne, Mayor of Athlone; John O’Hara, Head of Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Studies; and by Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin, President AIT.
The keynote speakers were Dr Melanie Smith (Cornivus University, Budapest, Hungary) who addressed the theme of smart thinking in special interest tourism, and Barry Chandler (founder Interactive Hospitality) who spoke on the theme of smart use of social media in hospitality.
A wide variety of topics addressing the overall conference theme were presented in a series of parallel sessions which included streams in niche tourism, marketing in tourism and hospitality, sustainability and education among others. The presentations emphasised the need, especially in the current climate, for creativity and innovation in all areas of tourism and hospitality endeavour.
Two industry presentations were given during the course of the day. These were very well received and tied the conference with AIT’s anniversary celebrations showcasing the talent and entrepreneurial activity of hotel, tourism and leisure graduates; Martin Harte, Managing Director, Temple Bar Traders and Ronan Maher, Director, The Oarsman, Carrick-on-Shannon.
The round table discussion, debated some of the issues highlighted during the day’s proceedings. Panel members included the two keynote speakers and Tracey Coughlan, sector liaison and planning, Fáilte Ireland, Jim Deegan, professor of tourism policy at the University of Limerick, Mary Mulvey, CEO The Greenbox, and Liam Scollan, Chairman Ireland West Airport. The roundtable was ably chaired by Tadhg Carey, editor Westmeath Independent and Offaly Independent.
Topics discussed by the panel included the future function of tourist boards, access and the discontinuation of funding to regional airports, quality and customer service, industry pay and conditions, and the importance of tourism and hospitality education. The need for greater collaboration between industry and academia is of critical importance for the future. Adapting to a new reality with flair, imagination, creativity and innovation demands focused collaboration and timely research.
The conference was sponsored by Athlone Town Council, Fáilte Ireland, Hodson Bay Hotel, Sheraton Hotel Athlone and Tourism Ireland.
The eighth annual THRIC conference will be held in the University of Ulster in June 2012.
