Wexford Adventure Trail
Wexford Trails is delighted to announce that Wexford Local Development has approved funding for a training programme to develop a network of businesses to form the “Wexford Adventure Trail” as part of the Wexford Trails network, with the purpose of promoting adventure activity in Co. Wexford locally as well as national and international tourism markets.
The aim if the programme is to bring together adventure activity businesses based and operating in Co. Wexford who are interested in forming a network to support and promote adventure activity in the County.
The programme is an exciting mix of coursework covering business development, marketing and networking with contributions by industry leaders and experts in the Adventure Tourism sector, as well as mentoring and site visits.
Course Programme
Where: Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre
When: Wednesday 26th Feb, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, April 1st and 22nd from 2pm-5pm
Training Cost: Free
How to register your interest: Please complete the online Expression of Interest Form here >>
Deadline for Completion of Expression of Interest Forms: Friday February 14th, 2020
Course Content
The course is broken down into six modules that will run over a six week period comprising of one 3-hour block per week. A guest speak will attend each session. The training programme co-ordinator is Dr Yvonne Byrne who will lead the team of tutors assigned to deliver the training programme. The team includes business consultant Tony Ennis (Ennis & Co. Business Consultants), social media consultant Sarah-Jane Vincent (Miss Content Creative), adventure specialists Humphrey Murphy (Irish Leisure Consultants), Jim & Maria Kennedy (Atlantic Sea Kayaking, Cork), and Nathan Kingerlee (Outdoors Ireland, Kerry )
One to one mentoring and support will be provided to each business throughout the duration of this training programme
Module 1: Developing a Quality Tourism Product
Session 1: Costing & Pricing Your Product How to develop a system for costing and pricing services/products that is sustainable for the business while remaining competitive and creating a positive experience for visitors.
Guest Speaker: Adventure Specialist
Tourism Trails Development Overview
Session 2: Business Challenges : Regulation & Compliance – Overview of legal requirements for activity-based businesses including a food offering (shop or café) , Dealing with Brexit – Entering New Markets, Tourism Trends in Adventure Tourism
Guest Speaker: Adventure Specialist
Adventure Trail Constitution & Structure
Assignment
Module 2: Promoting Your Adventure Offering
Session3: Digital Marketing–Experiential Marketing Visual Storytelling
Using images & video as part of the businesses marketing activities on social media Nominated platform: Instagram/Facebook.
Targeting your market on Social Media Branding Understanding of the role of Failte Ireland, tourism branding, current marketing campaigns, nationally and internationally, including Ireland’s Ancient East, VisitWexford and Wexford Trails and the relationship between them
Guest Speaker: Adventure Specialist
Adventure Trail Marketing / Promotion
Assignment: Create a story for use on social media with a specific relevant target market in mind.
Module 3: Staff & Personal Leadership
Session 4:
Brand Awareness, knowledge and crosspromotion of local attractions and services
Staff Training: Ensuring the visitor is aware of all there is on offer in the area, answering queries, sourcing information.
Guest Speaker: Adventure Specialist
Adventure Trail Membership Criteria
Assignment: Review your area and draft a knowledge sheet for staff
Module 4: B2B Networking
Session 5: Effective Networking
How to be effective at B2B networking Building your network How to get the most out of this network/other networks
Adventure Trail: Networking across Trails
Assignment: Group B2B Networking Session
Module 5: Future Planning
Session 6: Business Planning
Tools & Templates to create a winning business plan
Adventure Trail Formation
Assignment: Draft Business Plan for review at 1:1 mentoring session
Presentation & Review
After module 5 has been completed, a final session will be held by WLD/Wexford Trails to inform participants about funding support available to produce promotional materials for the network, to review progress to date and agree next steps.
Background to Wexford Trails:
Wexford Trails is a county-wide network with over 80 members across the county, showcasing the best of what Wexford has to offer. Trails in the network include the Craft, Garden, Heritage, Walking & Cycling Trails. Members range from iconic attractions which feature on Ireland’s Ancient East, to the small, independently operated attraction, each a valued contributor to the huge diversity of Wexford’s tourism offering and all offering a unique experience to locals and visitors alike. Further information is available at www.wexfordtrails.ie
Background to Wexford Local Development Company (WLD):
Wexford Local Development (WLD) was established in 2009. It is a community-based development company working across County Wexford and is responsible for promoting rural development, employment, social inclusion and enterprise development.
WLD administers a number of programmes and initiatives to include LEADER Programme 2014- 2020, the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Local Employment Services (LES), Rural Social Scheme (RSS), TUS, Warm Project, Cornmarket Project, Ability Programme, Traveller Community Health Programme & Traveller Youth Development Project, Little Jobs Service and Meitheal. Further information is available at www.wld.ie
For further information please contact Elaine Walsh, Wexford Trails Development Officer at hello@wexfordtrails.ie
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