Awards bid to recognise holiday-makers' heroes
An awards programme was launched today to encourage the entire tourism industry and public to extend a cead mile failte to all visitors.
The Irish Welcome Awards 2006 will look for holiday-makers to nominate someone who has gone the extra mile to ensure their stay in the country was memorable.
Gillian Bowler, chairwoman of Failte Ireland, said: “The Welcome Awards is a mechanism for Failte Ireland and the industry to focus everyone working in hospitality on the Irish Welcome – and also to recognise the important role that members of the public play in many tourists’ experiences and memories of Ireland.
“Responsibility for the Irish welcome does not rest solely with tourism employees. Each and every person working and living in Ireland, who has contact with visitors can play a role in ensuring that one of our most important indigenous industries continues to grow and prosper.”
Ms Bowler warned people in the industry in Ireland must work hard to ensure they succeeded in the cut-throat world of tourism.
Failte Ireland said there was no room for complacency as it revealed nine out of 10 people say they are satisfied with the friendliness of the people they encounter in Ireland.
“Whereas in the past people would accept a basic service if it came with a smile and some blarney, this is no longer the case. To succeed in satisfying increasingly demanding visitors, we must retain our distinctively flexible, relaxed approach but add to it some of the professionalism you meet among hospitality staff, particularly in Europe,” she said.
In the past five years, over 12,500 people have been nominated by visitors and holiday-makers from 49 countries for their friendliness and assistance.
Last year’s winners were mother and daughter, Bernadette and Michelle Ryan of Charleville, Co Cork, who came to the rescue of a family from Illinois who were stranded on their way to a wedding in Kinsale.
Nominations can be made online at www.irishwelcomeawards.com or on forms available in a range of tourist information offices, B&Bs and hotels.
