Recently Fenit hosted a familiarisation visit (Fam) for approximately 30 guests of Kerry Convention Bureau (KCB) in partnership with SITE Ireland & Fáilte Ireland. The group was made up of event, hospitality and incentive travel professionals from the UK and Ireland. KCB nominated Fenit as a destination to showcase the potential for corporate travel customers to become immersed in an authentic Irish village setting and interact with local suppliers, activity providers, hospitality & community groups. Catherine Carty from Fenit Townhall lead the initiative locally and Fenit Without were very pleased to support the event through web design, content and event management services.
The delegates enjoyed a busy morning itinerary starting with a welcome at The Tankard which was followed by a greenway cycle to a pre-selected Fenit activity; Fenit Sea Safari, a lighthouse boat tour or beach yoga. Following each activity the whole group gathered at Lockes Beach to participate in a Big Beach Clean with Fenit Coast Conservation before a Tralee Bay Oyster reception at the West End Bar.
Underpinning the whole Fenit Fam experience was a theme of sustainability with each activity directly corresponding to one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Throughout their Fenit journey the guests were reminded of how Fenit is a village with a pledge to this sustainable agenda and how as a community we look to the SDG framework as a guide to developing the tourism and commercial offering of the village. Before departing Fenit each delegate was asked to make a simple sustainability pledge which was recorded on a picturesque postcard to be sent their home address, a simple reminder of how their Fenit experience can inspire sustainable actions in their daily lives. Sustainable tourism is now a core component of corporate and incentive travel as well as complimenting the sustainability vision of Fáilte Ireland who were recently nominated as UN SDG Champions.
Last week Radio Kerry In Business invited Becky Hargrove (Kerry Convention Bureau), Catherine Carty (Kerry Ambassador and MTU Academic and UNESCO Chair) and Grace O'Shea (Business Tourism at Meet in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland) to discuss the event and how Fenit can become a future champion of sustainable incentive travel. The 20minute discussion is well worth a listen as they dive deeper into what makes Fenit a prime location for this type of business.
So, reverting to our original question, does Fenit have a sustainable tourism future? If you've listened to the interview above we think that you'll agree that the answer is a resounding yes. In comparison to some of the other more established destinations in our County, Fenit could be considered to be at the very start of this journey, which in itself is an exciting opportunity. Local businesses, tour operators & community groups have an incredible opportunity to shape their incentive travel offering and double down on their local collaborations to ensure that the experience delivered to our Fam guests be repeated and further improved with greater efficiency over the coming years.
We were delighted to support this event. From designing the bespoke online booking portal and website to project managing the event and providing some content the whole Fam project was right on brand for where Fenit Without feels most comfortable - Coast, Community and Conscience. To learn more about our services in this space please head over to Fenit Without Studio and have a browse.
Thanks to the following organisations and local businesses who supported the Fenit Fam project.