Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

This virtual session will provide insights into an exciting new programme that will focus on crafting the highest quality experiences that can persuade domestic and global customers to visit, stay and return to the Borough (maximising all associated economic and social opportunities).

These experiences can encompass diverse themes aligning to the current TNI priorities including Music & Heritage, Outdoor Adventure & Activities, Nature & Wellness, Food & Drink.

To facilitate attendance by as many interested providers as possible, the information session will take place virtually via a Zoom link.

The link will be emailed directly to those who express an interest.

Please note that this programme is open to providers with no, limited or advanced knowledge of the tourism industry. This includes:

• providers/businesses that have never before worked in tourism, with the potential to deliver a compelling tourism experience
• an existing provider/business (already known to Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council) that wishes to develop new experiences

The activities and experiences that emerge via this programme will complement a broad menu of activities and tourism experiences that are already available for purchase by the local community and visitors (from the domestic and global markets)

The goal is to further position the Borough as a leading destination in Northern Ireland and the global marketplace. The activities and experiences that emerge via this programme are integral to this goal.

Collectively, these experiences must be of a premier standard that can win bookings from diverse customers such as families, intergenerational travellers, retired couples and groups.

The experiences that emerge via this programme will

• stand under the umbrella of the Borough’s First Place brand and Tourism Northern Ireland’s Embrace a Giant Spirit branding and experience development guidelines.
• align with sustainability practices, diversity and a wide breadth of interest.

This information session will include the following:

• An insight into why compelling tourism experiences are key for Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough.
• The framework, purpose, and expectations of the programme.
• Outcomes and sample experiences anticipated from the programme.
• Requirements and criteria for progression into the programme.
• Programme dates for the diary.
• A Q&A session to address queries.

The programme encourages Experiences from across the following categories: music & heritage, outdoor adventure & activities, nature & wellness, food & drink. (not prescriptive)

Examples:

• Music & Heritage: learn how to play an instrument that is indigenous to the Borough; after dark experiences in historic buildings, meet the maker experiences (e.g., lace making, glass making, jewellery design)
• Outdoor Adventure & Activities: activities/experiences for soft adventure; guided walking, cycling, equine, hiking, boating, paddling experiences
• Nature & Wellness: yoga in the wild, dawn chorus experiences to learn about wildlife and birds, mindfulness
• Food & Drink: wild foraging; dining experiences in quirky locations, guided food & drink experiences and trails,
• Accessible experiences, inclusive of people of all ages and abilities

To participate in this programme

• Your proposed experience must take place at a registered address in the Borough
• You must attend and complete all modules of the programme
• You must be prepared to proactively promote your new experience to independent visitors and groups post the programme
• There must be no obstacles: e.g., the experience cannot be dependent on capital investment or the development of infrastructure
• The experience that emerges from this programme must be a brand new tourism experience for the Borough: i.e., not currently available for sale and with a view to becoming a long term, regularly available, established experience.

Email the following information to  by Wednesday 11^th September 2024 at 5.00pm;

1. Your name and address
2. Your idea for a new tourism experience – please detail in a short paragraph
3. Experience location, times, target audience, previous experience & any specialism you might have.

Attend the virtual programme introduction on Tuesday, 17^th September 2024, 6.30pm – 7.45pm to hear more and determine if you meet the programme criteria

Subject to meeting the programme criteria, be ready for an invitation to attend the full training programme commencing with a full day in-person session on Tuesday 8th October 2024

As places are limited, please note that submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee a place on the programme.