Cultural tourism and the contemporary museum

This conference will examine and debate the principles for successful and sustainable cultural heritage tourism and the museums’ role in its development. How museums can attract visitors while at the same time preserving the authenticity that makes them unique and attractive in the first place?

Registration and programme is now available online: http://www.irishmuseums-annualconference.org/

Cultural heritage tourism is one of the key drivers within the tourism industry and is a powerful economic development tool. With a large percentage of visitors to Ireland participating in cultural activities through visits to museums, the importance of our collection-based institutions in attracting both national and international tourists is beyond doubt.

SPEAKERS

Chris BAILEY, Director, Northern Ireland Museums Council
John CONCANNON, Director, Creative Ireland
Michael DAY, Chief Executive, Historic Royal Palaces
Dr Lee JOLLIFFE, Professor, Hospitality and Tourism, University of New Brunswick, Canada
Claudia KÖHLER, Education, Community & Outreach Officer, Kerry County Museum
Dr Emily MARK-FITZGERALD, Lecturer, School of Art History and Cultural Policy, University College Dublin
Paddy MATHEWS, Head of Investment & Innovation, Fáilte Ireland
Dr Bridget MCCONNELL CBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life
Eamonn MCENEANEY, Director, Waterford Museum of Treasures – three museums in the Viking Triangle
Simon O’CONNOR, Curator, Little Museum of Dublin
Fiona ROSS, Director, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Aoife RUANE, Director, Highlanes Gallery
Frank SHALVEY, Principal Officer, National Monuments, Office of Public Works
Kathryn THOMSON, Chief Executive, National Museums Northern Ireland
Eithne VERLING, Director, Galway City Museum