Theresa Ryan

The Dynamic Role of Entrepreneurs in Destination Development

This article explores the significant role that entrepreneurs play in destination development. It contends that while the influence of entrepreneurs is discussed in the literature, scant attention has been paid to the dynamic, catalytic and longstanding nature of this influence. This research shows that entrepreneurial activity is dynamic and creative, and has the ability to influence the creation of a culture for tourism that underpins tourism development over long periods of time. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research investigates Killarney, County Kerry, a developed tourism area in Ireland. It identifies not only the way in which entrepreneurs can shape development at a tourism destination at a particular time but also how this influence can continue long after the original entrepreneur is involved. These entrepreneurs are acknowledged as key “tourism influentials” that underpin the initial and continued development of tourism through their actions.

Tour Guides and the mediation of difficult memories: the case of Dublin Castle, Ireland

This research seeks to furthering understandings of how Tour Guides interpret memories at heritage sites when the memories at issue are difficult yet subtle and not always apparent to tourists. Specifically, it explores how Dublin Castle, formerly the seat of British rule in Ireland, is captured in narratives presented to tourists that often include Britons. Representing the site is made challenging because some visitors have little knowledge of the sites history, while others are well informed and hold strong political views. The findings show that Guides select largely depoliticized narratives, strongly influenced by their personal interests and experiences. Some hint at underlying tensions that only tourists alert to the complexities of the site might capture. Dominant narratives can be challenged by tourists with an interest in, or allegiance to, particular historical or political beliefs, leading to emotional engagements. Some tourists, unaware of the complexities of the site, can encounter a more multi-layered and complex experience than perhaps envisaged. The study affirms the co-production evident in Tour Guiding narratives and points to the need for further research into how the variously empowered agencies of both the Guide and the tourist produce a constant shifting and re-working of memory.

Events, social connections, place identities and extended families

ABSTRACT The study reported here investigates the role that planned social gatherings play in shaping social connections, forging group identity and re-affirming connections with significant ‘home’ places within families where relationships extend across space. Empirically, it draws on a study of the Gathering, a 2013 national tourism initiative that encouraged people in Ireland to organise ‘gatherings’ to attract ‘home’ family members scattered across the globe. It reports data generated using mixed methods administered in two Irish counties. The findings demonstrate the profound meanings that the gatherings had for participating family members. The events served to strengthen existing family ties and to create new ones both between family members separated by geographic distance and spread across family generations. They further served to renew and revitalise connections with the family ‘home’ place, to enhance a sense of belonging for the family units studied and to strengthen family identity.

Developing Cultural Tourism Through Cross-Sector Co-operation: Evidence from the West of Ireland

19 Studies of co-operative activity in the tourism literature focus largely on linkages between tourism 20 firms and little has been done to examine co-operation between tourism firms and those in other 21 sectors. Yet the inter-dependency that exits between tourism and other sectors in product 22 development is clearly apparent. One such example is in the production of cultural tourism where 23 co-operation between the cultural and tourism sectors is a necessity. 24

Students in Action: Engaging Students with Destination Stakeholders

The Students in Action Project in the School of Hospitality Management and Tourism was established in 2012 as a way of engaging students and working with stakeholders in a destination. The overall aim of the project was to immerse students in an active collaborative learning environment within the destination to identify ways in which tourism could be enhanced. In the 2014/2015 academic year the project involved over 300 students from a variety of programmes and modules working with local stakeholders in Wexford Town. To-date the project has been successful in its aims to develop staff, student and community engagement and has generated positive impacts in terms of lecturer and student collaborations and has also provided substantial outcomes for the destination. Going forward, while posing challenges in terms of funding, timetabling and logistical issues, the project provides extensive opportunities for further enhancement of student engagement and collaborative learning.

Students in action: a destination-based learning approach to student engagement

Cognisant of the importance of student engagement in education being an international concern, this chapter outlines a project to enhance student engagement undertaken at the Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland. The ‘Students in Action Project’ involved students from a range of programmes and modules in the School of Hospitality and Tourism working with the local community and businesses of two tourism destinations: Slane, Co. Meath and Drogheda, Co. Louth in Ireland. The aim was to involve students in an active collaborative learning environment using a destination-based approach to define the parameters of engagement and collaboration and identify ways in which tourism and hospitality within the destination could be enhanced. In contrast to many previous studies on student engagement, the destination-based approach takes a more holistic view by including local industry, industry groups as well as civic and broader community members as key components of the destination. This chapter outlines the motivations underpinning the project, the process involved, and reflects on the benefits, limitations and lessons learnt. Outcomes beyond those intended arose from engaging with stakeholders outside the educational institution. The project has been a steep learning-curve for all, and on-going planning, negotiation and reflection are essential to the process. Fundamentally, all participants – staff, students and destination stakeholders agreed that the rich outputs justified the effort involved.

Building co-operation between Tourism and Culture in the West of Ireland

Recommended Citation Redressing regional imbalance is now a key challenge in Ireland. Dublin is the destination of choice for more than two fifths of the market and the number of visitors holidaying outside of the Dublin region has declined significantly between 2003 and 2009. One way of redressing regional imbalance is to harness the tourism potential of the cultural sector. Spread throughout the regions is a wealth of cultural activity and a well developed infrastructure of venues staging vibrant arts activity of international calibre, be it in visual arts, film, literature or the performing arts. This activity engages 2.3 million Irish citizens (66% of the adult population), who participate in the arts annually. Currently, however, this cultural activity is only modestly engaging visitor populations. It is not effectively integrated into the offerings of the tourism sector. tourism literature that has investigated co-operation and networking between firms and stakeholders has predominantly focused on co-op r tion within the tourism sector. However the nature of the tourism sector means that there are significant linkages between the tourism sectors and others such as retail and the arts. In current difficult economic times the necessity of maximising the economic benefits of international tourists in rural destinations is greater than ever. And yet there are challenges for firms attempting to cross the rubric of distinctive sectors to develop inter-firm relationships. Galway is a hive of artistic activity but the development of cultural tourism in Galway as a concept, product and brand is hampered by poor connectivity between the tourism and arts sectors. This paper reports on the initial findings of a project which has identified the level and type of collaboration that exists between tourism and arts providers in Galway, the obstacles that need to be overcome and initiatives that will be instigated to foster inter-sectoral relationships. The research involved key informant interviews and a survey across both sectors. The findings are especially relevant for Galway, but they also have implications and are relevant for many rural destinations. From a national and policy perspective the findings should inform discussions on how to harness linkages between these two sectors to encourage the further development of tourism and the arts in the regions around Ireland.