Munster Vales Tourism Mentoring – Helping To Develop Exclusive Castle & Heritage Home Tours
Abarta Heritage was delighted to be invited to mentor on an exciting new tourism experience entitled ‘Great Houses & Great Castles’ for the Munster Vales region.
The Munster Vales lie in the historic heartland of Ireland, traversing the steep peaks, lush valleys and rich agricultural farmland of Counties Limerick, Tipperary, Cork and Waterford. The owners of Lismacue House, Bansha, Co. Tipperary; Grenane House, Tipperary; and Castlegarde Castle, Cappamore, Co. Limerick came together in 2019 to collaborate on the creation of a luxury, one-day experience in which visitors are immersed in the fascinating history and rich stories relating to three historic houses set within the lush landscape of the golden vale.
Róisín Burke of Abarta Heritage visited the three stately homes as part of a tourism mentoring project, to evaluate the tourist experience being developed, which includes a warm welcome, refreshments throughout the day, guided tours of the houses and the accompanying centuries-old stories of elopements, shipwrecks, murder and, of course, the resident ghosts!
Róisín’s methodology was to initially evaluate each of the tours in terms of the quality of the tour content, communication, the facilities available and the overall package being provided. Roisin then brought the three owners together for a half day workshop to discuss possible improvements to the experience, along with the best potential advertising and marketing strategies to promote their new venture.
As Abarta Heritage believes that sustainability should be a central consideration in the development of new tourism initiatives, Róisín also supported the participants in identifying methods of minimising any possible negative impacts of tourism on these landmark sites. Róisín also assisted the group in understanding the type of visitors that would be interested in this experience, how visitors find out about experiences like this in Ireland and what supports could be available to the group to help them grow the business.
OUR TOURISM MENTORING PROCESS
With in-depth knowledge & experience of the heritage sector, Abarta Heritage supports clients in devising, delivering & marketing excellent heritage tourism products.
With in-depth knowledge & experience of the heritage sector, Abarta Heritage supports clients in devising, delivering & marketing excellent heritage tourism products.
OUR TOURISM MENTORING PROCESS
With in-depth knowledge & experience of the heritage sector, Abarta Heritage supports clients in devising, delivering & marketing excellent heritage tourism products.
Róisín initially evaluated each of the house tours in terms of the quality of the tour content, communication skills, the facilities available and the overall package provided.
Róisín initially evaluated each of the house tours in terms of the quality of the tour content, communication skills, the facilities available and the overall package provided.
Róisín brought the owners together for a half-day workshop to discuss possible improvements to the experience, along with marketing strategies to promote the new venture.
Róisín brought the owners together for a half-day workshop to discuss possible improvements to the experience, along with marketing strategies to promote the new venture.
Róisín was happy to offer further advise and support to the group as they went about implementing the various outcomes of the mentoring package.