With a track record stretching back to 2006, we have been at the heart of tourism development across Ireland, working alongside local councils, private sector organisations, and community groups to shape and deliver meaningful rural tourism development on both a regional and local scale.
As a trusted tourism development consultant, our portfolio speaks for itself. We were proud members of the project team behind one of the island’s most celebrated walking routes, the iconic Cuilcagh Boardwalk, or as it is more affectionately known ‘The Stairway to Heaven’.
More recently worked with many county councils including most recently Monaghan and Longford County Councils to deliver workshops on tourism experience development as well as facilitating rural tourism networking.
We have provided specialist tourism consultancy to now award-winning experiences including Erne Water Taxi and Finn Lough, and in 2018 we reviewed and co-designed the Tourism Development Plan for Fermanagh, helping to shape the county’s long-term visitor strategy.
At think6 we have been working in the Regenerative Tourism world since 2006. From feasibility studies, to experience development, to village tourism strategies, they all come under the banner of regenerative tourism.
When we first started working in tourism, it was a numbers game, success was measured on the numbers of visitors to a region.
Today, we know that quality overrides quantity and that presenting the visitor with an experience that encourages them to spend a little more, makes for a better contribution to our islands environment and GDP.
One of our most recent projects have seen us working with Bog Communities in a range of locations across Ireland. Now this is a super example of how regenerative tourism can make an impact.
These communities have been hard hit by the closure of peat processing plants and are looking at sustainable tourism options to help breath life back into their townlands, villages and towns.
The process started with idea generating workshops, progressing to creating individual actions plans for each community.
A word of Warning!
Its all very well creating actions plans but we have to remember that many community group members are……..
VOLUNTEERS
who are giving their time, FOC (free of charge)
Rome wasn’t built in a day so providing a clear pathway with manageable steps that lead to change and regeneration is how we have been helping these communities to breath life into their communities whilst creating experiences that the visitor will pay to access.
Other Projects.
We have a proven track record in working on projects that promote regeneration of rural communities. Rural villages including Belleek Village, Gortin Village, Swanlinbar Village, Ederney Village, have all benefitted from our expertise and knowledge in tourism support them to leverage their assets to attract visitors in a more strategic manner.
At think6 we have worked with many many communities to support and promote their regeneration. If this is something which you feel your community or company could benefit from please do contact us.
You can read more about developing a regenerative tourism plan here.
Our approach to tourism experience development is akin to product development.
We work with clients to bring ideas to the fore, test, refine and eventually bring to market enhancing any tourism business’ ability to increase turnover.
We have delivered on Experience Development programmes for Fermanagh Omagh District Council developing new experiences with industry providers as well as developing and supporting clusters with the aim of creating new and innovative experience.
We have worked with a range of community groups where they have identified that the heritage of their area can lead to the economic sustainability of their community.
We have a proven track record in delivering feasibility studies that lead to capital investment.
Some of our work can be seen at Trivia House, Swanlinbar, Co. Cavan which was a community building, now converted into hostel and glamping accommodation.
Another example includes Rose Cottage, located in the village of Garrison, Co. Fermanagh which is a purpose built holiday accommodation for families who have family members with identified needs and more specifically for families with children on the autistic spectrum.
We have worked with a range of community groups where they have identified that the heritage of their area can help support the economic sustainability of their community.
Accessing Heritage
One example includes a project we delivered for Kesh Community Group and the delivery of a documentary that preserves their heritage story.
Traditional Craft
We have also produced a 30 minute documentary for Belleek Mens in Fermanagh which features traditional cot boat building. This documentary was filmed over a 12 month period and includes interviews and filming of the craft of boat building.
Build Heritage
Our work with Belleek Pottery has led to new experiences in their visitor centre offering and in work we completed through the Border Uplands Project we supported four councils (Fermanagh, Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo) to deliver the Culciagh Boardwalk, Cavan Burren Forest Park, Queen Maeve Trail and The Devil’s Chimney Walk.
Community Heritage Projects
Through the Belleek Development and Heritage Group, we have been involved in the delivery of a village renewal scheme that connects the heritage story of Belleek Pottery to the village. we have been involved in the development of a heritage village website, and have lead on public realm projects that celebrate the heritage story of the village.
Sporting Heritage
We have worked with Enniskillen Castle & County Museum to fulfil a cross-border sporting heritage project which looked to uncover sporting stories connect to the locality 1912 – 1922. As a result the Lipton Cup which was played for in 1913, won by Enniskillen Corinthians but remained under the care of Clones Football club to this day, was returned to Fermanagh for a period of time, a task which was difficult considering it was positioned in ROI. It was great to have the story told and a representation of a fascinating sporting heritage story. There were also a wide range of artefacts, journals and memorabilia displayed in Enniskillen Castle, from tennis journals to camogie images, from an invitation to a rugby dance to greyhound racing photography.
We have been involved in the development of tourism clusters since 2021 although our experience in the development of networks first started in 2011 with the facilitation of the Network for Enterprising Women, a group which was originally set up to support female entrepreneurs who were encouraged to use the network as a place to develop, collaborate and support.
CLUSTER ESSENTIALS
We are currently facilitating a number of tourism cluster groups, in the early stages of development.
Members have been attending facilitated meetings, site visits, regional networking events, as well as learning journeys.
Members from each group are If you run a tourism business, or a business which is involved in tourism, working collaboratively with others can be essential and sustainable.
We are always keen to share our knowledge and experience with others in the tourism sector.
Our courses are designed with three goals in mind
We have delivered a range of workshops over our 20 years of working in this sector. Some of the learning experience we have designed and delivered include
Marketing on a Shoe String – designed with the small business owner in mind, this is a one day programme that shifts your thinking about marketing with a limited budget.
Idea Generation – design for sole traders or those working solo, sometimes we just need to talk to other people, and bounce ideas. In this facilitated one day workshop, you will start your day perhaps with no idea, and end it brimming with new possibilities.
Social Media for Beginners – A weekend programme designed for small business owners or team members who struggle to carve out time to implement their social media activity effectively. Over 2 days you learn not only the tools and tricks that are required to execute your social media but you will also learn some good social media habits.
This workshop is a practical, inspiring programme that guides participants through the process of identifying what makes their community truly special and developing it into an authentic tourism offering that supports local pride, strengthens identity, and brings measurable economic benefits. Whilst we do run workshops like the upcoming one in Shen House we also can work on a one to one basis with community groups if they have a project in mind.
Marketing Planning – this is a two day weekend workshop where we guide you through the world of marketing, – remember, marketing is not all about social media, there is so much more to this essential discipline, at the end of programme you will have a 5 point action plan to improve your businesses marketing.
Pricing Right – Where price and value are often confused, this one day workshop guides you through pricing strategies for your business, increasing your confidence in pricing and understanding what to charge and when.
Teresa is a qualified trainer and facilitator with a passion for knowledge sharing, she is committed to effective training that changes behaviour and delegates can see cause and effect from their training experience.
With a track record stretching back to 2006, we have been at the heart of tourism development across Ireland, working alongside local councils, private sector organisations, and community groups to shape and deliver meaningful rural tourism development on both a regional and local scale.
