09 Dec 2025
Tourism NI collaborates with Down High School
Tourism Northern Ireland was delighted to work in partnership with Down High School to host some of its students at a recent networking workshop.
Photo caption (L-R): Alva Pearson Downey, Chief Executive of ITOA, Jonny Crutchley, teacher at Down High School and Nikki Paterson, Business Solutions Manager at Tourism NI, pictured with pupils from Down High School at the joint Tourism NI/ITOA workshop at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle.
The pupils attended the ITOA (Inbound Tourism Operators Association of Ireland) 2025 workshop, which was hosted in partnership with Tourism NI at the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle.
The workshop provided the students, who are currently studying Level 3 Applied Extended Certificate in Tourism, with the opportunity to see first-hand the set-up, organisation and delivery of an event linked to the tourism industry.
During the workshop, more than 100 local industry had the chance to showcase their visitor products and experiences to around 60 individual ITOA members across a series of one-to-one meetings.
As part of the course, the Down High School students are planning and running their own event as well as looking at tourism development, how tourism is changing and planning for change as tourism develops around the world.
Tourism NI had also visited the students prior to the workshop and presented on planning and management of large events and careers opportunities with the Tourism and Events sector.
Nikki Paterson, Business Solutions Manager at Tourism NI said: “Tourism NI is pleased to be able to play a role in helping to support education and career development within the tourism sector.
“This collaboration allowed the students the chance to explore the tourism industry and how events play an important role in the sector, it is hoped it will inspire them to consider careers in the sector.”
Jonny Crutchley, teacher at Down High School, said that the link-up with Tourism NI had been invaluable, with the pupils given the opportunity to see how Tourism NI plan and deliver events.
He said the students have learnt about planning, marketing, budgeting, risk assessments and working with their target market and were delighted with the opportunity to see first-hand "a live event take place, to see the work in action".