Tourism NI hosts Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands industry briefing event in Co Fermanagh

Photo Caption: (L-R): Helen McGorman, Head of Stakeholder Engagement (NI) at Tourism Ireland, Niall Tracey, Director Demand Development at Fáilte Ireland, and Carmel Scott, Head of Marketing at Tourism Northern Ireland, pictured at an Ireland's Hidden Heartlands industry briefing event in Enniskillen this week

The event followed an announcement by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald last week about a new licensing agreement between Tourism Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland which will see the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand used by eligible businesses in Co Fermanagh for the first time.

The Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands regional marketing and experience brand, which was developed by Fáilte Ireland, promotes Ireland’s central heartlands, focusing on its natural assets and waterways, across the island and internationally.

This week, during an information event at Manor House Country Hotel, local tourism providers heard from representatives from Tourism Northern Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, who spoke about how the industry can take full advantage of the new opportunity.

The businesses learned about how they can apply to use the brand, heard about upcoming promotional plans and found out how they can access a range of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands marketing materials.

Lisa McWilliams, Managing Director of Keenaghan Cottage in Belleek, who attended the industry information event, said the new collaboration was "absolutely wonderful news for everybody involved".

"Fermanagh has just so much to offer from the lakes, to the landscapes to the history and heritage, " she said.

"It is absolutely wonderful news that Fermanagh is joining the Irelands Hidden Heartlands brand. This will give tourism providers like me another global platform really to shine a light on everything we have".