User reviews will become obsolete, says Oyster - Travolution.co.uk
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Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
IHF Flyer - ITIC Report
Irish Tourist Industry Conferation Report: "The domestic holiday market, worth €1.5 billion annually, has more than doubled since 2000 with a dramatic growth in the number of short breaks taken in Ireland by Irish residents. Three out of every four home holiday trips are now short breaks, while the growth in domestic market demand has generated over 90% of new business for Irish hotels.
These and other findings are in a new report out today from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) – the representative body for the tourism industry which is focused on the economic development of tourism in Ireland, nationally and regionally.
The report from TTC – Tourism & Transport Consult International on behalf of ITIC, supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation will be copied in further blogs following.
Comment below upon any ideas you may have about extending this business further.
These and other findings are in a new report out today from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) – the representative body for the tourism industry which is focused on the economic development of tourism in Ireland, nationally and regionally.
The report from TTC – Tourism & Transport Consult International on behalf of ITIC, supported by Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation will be copied in further blogs following.
Comment below upon any ideas you may have about extending this business further.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
"Fáilte Ireland West is continuously encouraging a partnership approach within tourism centres in the region, such as the bundling or packaging of services to tourists combining accommodation and things to do and see. It is hoped the local community in these areas will rise to the challenge and group together to collectively benefit from this great opportunity. Community support is vital in getting this initiative to a successful level, and to this end, Fáilte Ireland West are calling on all businesses in the areas, who come in contact with visitors, to support this project."
Be at the Westport Plaza on Thursday 3rd of December and support me to develop a bicycle, walking, surfing and horse trek of the West Coast of Ireland, from Donegal to Kerry. Got the idea from Lonely Planets discussion recently in Galway at a Failte Ireland conference.
Be at the Westport Plaza on Thursday 3rd of December and support me to develop a bicycle, walking, surfing and horse trek of the West Coast of Ireland, from Donegal to Kerry. Got the idea from Lonely Planets discussion recently in Galway at a Failte Ireland conference.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
IHF Flyer - Launch of the Be Our Guest Guide
IHF Flyer - Launch of the Be Our Guest Guide: "Irelandhotels.com, the Guide’s online version with booking facilities, provides guests with speedy access to the best deals and special offers across a wide range of hotels and guesthouses, allowing visitors to the site to select accommodation that best suits their business or leisure plans. The website features dedicated sections with Value Breaks, Special Offers and Family Breaks which are updated daily to provide exceptional value deals across hundreds of hotels and guesthouses.
Matthew Ryan, President, IHF, states, “Given the unprecedented challenges faced by Irish tourism, effective and creative marketing of our product both at home and abroad is more vital than ever. This year’s Guide showcases the tremendous range of accommodation being offered by hotels and guesthouses at the highest standards of service in a highly competitive market. Irish hotels now offer among the best value in Europe with prices having dropped by up to 15% over the last year.
“With overseas trips to Ireland down almost 14%, a key objective for 2010 is to regain lost ground, particularly in the British market. In terms of business tourism, the priority is to attract new business and conference visitors to derive maximum benefit from the availability of the national conference centre when it opens next September. As part of this effort, we are calling on the Government to invest in targeted marketing initiatives that showcase Ireland’s excellent venues and purpose-built conference facilities.”"
Matthew Ryan, President, IHF, states, “Given the unprecedented challenges faced by Irish tourism, effective and creative marketing of our product both at home and abroad is more vital than ever. This year’s Guide showcases the tremendous range of accommodation being offered by hotels and guesthouses at the highest standards of service in a highly competitive market. Irish hotels now offer among the best value in Europe with prices having dropped by up to 15% over the last year.
“With overseas trips to Ireland down almost 14%, a key objective for 2010 is to regain lost ground, particularly in the British market. In terms of business tourism, the priority is to attract new business and conference visitors to derive maximum benefit from the availability of the national conference centre when it opens next September. As part of this effort, we are calling on the Government to invest in targeted marketing initiatives that showcase Ireland’s excellent venues and purpose-built conference facilities.”"
The Mayo Business Awards sponsored by Bord Gais.
Winner of the eCommerce Award - Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Comments from the Mystery Shopper
"This entry demonstrated that they have taken a strategic approach to the topic and have a well defined and well implemented ebusiness marketing strategy in place. As well as being informative their web site is also highly interactive. Customers and potential customers can interact with the business at a variety of levels, not just by telephone and email, but also via live on-line chat, and via facebook. They can check availability; examine special offers and book on line. All of this is possible in a visually attractive, easy to navigate site with all important issues located above the fold. The copywriting is of a particularly high standard, is chatty and inviting. All of these factors combine to make it easy for customers to do business with the hotel and for the hotel to do business with their customers."
Winner of the eCommerce Award - Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Comments from the Mystery Shopper
"This entry demonstrated that they have taken a strategic approach to the topic and have a well defined and well implemented ebusiness marketing strategy in place. As well as being informative their web site is also highly interactive. Customers and potential customers can interact with the business at a variety of levels, not just by telephone and email, but also via live on-line chat, and via facebook. They can check availability; examine special offers and book on line. All of this is possible in a visually attractive, easy to navigate site with all important issues located above the fold. The copywriting is of a particularly high standard, is chatty and inviting. All of these factors combine to make it easy for customers to do business with the hotel and for the hotel to do business with their customers."
Friday, November 13, 2009
BACON WARNS ENTIRE HOTELS SECTOR FACES INSOLVENCY
IHF Demands Swift Action to Save Biggest Contributor to Our Economy
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has received a major, independent economic report* undertaken by economist Peter Bacon which stresses the serious challenges facing the hotels sector. It confirms the worst fears expressed by the IHF since the recession started. Mr Bacon in his report outlines a series of urgent actions needed now if the hotel sector is to survive.
The Report highlights the damage which is being caused to the hotels sector as a whole by financial institutions and banks supporting unviable and insolvent enterprises. It underlines the urgent need to address over supply within the sector and the negative effect of ongoing tax regulations which impede the ability of unviable hotels to exit from the market. The Report clearly reinforces hoteliers’ concerns that the industry will collapse unless action is taken. This cannot be allowed to happen given tourism is one of the largest indigenous contributors to the economy. These concerns have been expressed regularly by the IHF since the economic downturn started. They formed the basis of its recent pre-budget submission to the Minister for Finance seeking to assist tourism become a significant driver of the economy’s return to growth.
According to Matthew Ryan, President of the IHF, the Report contains a very detailed and structured approach on how to deal with a sector in crisis. “This Report is possibly one of the most detailed and comprehensive analyses of the sector ever undertaken and includes very serious measures to improve the viability of the sector. The Report calls for the urgent active participation of the stakeholders involved including the banks and financial institutions, the Government, the tourism bodies and the hotel sector itself to seek effective solutions.”
The Report also supports the urgent case which the IHF has made since 2008 for working capital and cost reduction supports to be provided to businesses which would otherwise be viable. These businesses are well-placed to survive in the current economic environment provided an effective restructuring of the industry is achieved.
Tourism’s contribution to the Irish economy
Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, employing over 200,000 people across the country. Notwithstanding the recession, tourism is a major industry in Ireland generating considerable value in terms of exports, employment and tax revenues. Tourism made a direct contribution of €6.3 billion to the Irish economy in 2008, representing 4% of overall GNP.
•A total of 7,435,000 overseas visitors came to Ireland in 2008. In addition, there were an estimated 8,339,000 domestic trips;
•Tourism contributed €1.5 billion in taxes in 2008 of which €1.1 billion came from foreign visitors;
•Accommodation revenues account for almost 30% of the total and hotels supply 23% of all bednights spent by overseas visitors;
•€4.8 billion in foreign exchange earnings in 2008 compared to €2.1 billion in 1995 and €4.3 billion in 2005;
•Tourism accounted for 4% of GNP
•Tourism industry accounts for 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs, of which almost 60,000 are in the accommodation sector alone.
•Greater spread of regional economic activity than most other industries;
•Provides a substantial entrepreneurial resource as the vast majority of tourism enterprises are small and medium enterprises.
•925 hotels with 60,729 rooms. 337 guesthouses with 4,070 rooms.
IHF Demands Swift Action to Save Biggest Contributor to Our Economy
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has received a major, independent economic report* undertaken by economist Peter Bacon which stresses the serious challenges facing the hotels sector. It confirms the worst fears expressed by the IHF since the recession started. Mr Bacon in his report outlines a series of urgent actions needed now if the hotel sector is to survive.
The Report highlights the damage which is being caused to the hotels sector as a whole by financial institutions and banks supporting unviable and insolvent enterprises. It underlines the urgent need to address over supply within the sector and the negative effect of ongoing tax regulations which impede the ability of unviable hotels to exit from the market. The Report clearly reinforces hoteliers’ concerns that the industry will collapse unless action is taken. This cannot be allowed to happen given tourism is one of the largest indigenous contributors to the economy. These concerns have been expressed regularly by the IHF since the economic downturn started. They formed the basis of its recent pre-budget submission to the Minister for Finance seeking to assist tourism become a significant driver of the economy’s return to growth.
According to Matthew Ryan, President of the IHF, the Report contains a very detailed and structured approach on how to deal with a sector in crisis. “This Report is possibly one of the most detailed and comprehensive analyses of the sector ever undertaken and includes very serious measures to improve the viability of the sector. The Report calls for the urgent active participation of the stakeholders involved including the banks and financial institutions, the Government, the tourism bodies and the hotel sector itself to seek effective solutions.”
The Report also supports the urgent case which the IHF has made since 2008 for working capital and cost reduction supports to be provided to businesses which would otherwise be viable. These businesses are well-placed to survive in the current economic environment provided an effective restructuring of the industry is achieved.
Tourism’s contribution to the Irish economy
Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, employing over 200,000 people across the country. Notwithstanding the recession, tourism is a major industry in Ireland generating considerable value in terms of exports, employment and tax revenues. Tourism made a direct contribution of €6.3 billion to the Irish economy in 2008, representing 4% of overall GNP.
•A total of 7,435,000 overseas visitors came to Ireland in 2008. In addition, there were an estimated 8,339,000 domestic trips;
•Tourism contributed €1.5 billion in taxes in 2008 of which €1.1 billion came from foreign visitors;
•Accommodation revenues account for almost 30% of the total and hotels supply 23% of all bednights spent by overseas visitors;
•€4.8 billion in foreign exchange earnings in 2008 compared to €2.1 billion in 1995 and €4.3 billion in 2005;
•Tourism accounted for 4% of GNP
•Tourism industry accounts for 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs, of which almost 60,000 are in the accommodation sector alone.
•Greater spread of regional economic activity than most other industries;
•Provides a substantial entrepreneurial resource as the vast majority of tourism enterprises are small and medium enterprises.
•925 hotels with 60,729 rooms. 337 guesthouses with 4,070 rooms.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Green Small to Medium Size Enterprise Award Application
Green Small to Medium Size Enterprise Award Application
The Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
The Westport Woods Hotel has engaged in a sustainable and environmental strategy, involving continuous improvement in all aspects of the hotel, for the last seven years. The focus is on minimising environmental impact while at the same time making a profit. The major achievement is in reducing CO² emissions by over 65% and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill from 240 tonnes a year right down to 40 tonnes in 2008, this will be 30 tonnes by the end of 2009. The hotel has not used oil for heating in over two years
Recycling, re-use and waste minimisation
The focus on this section has really paid off, the hotel was sending more than 240 tonnes of waste to landfill six years ago – this year it will be about 30 tonnes. Glass goes to the Rehab bottle bank. A recycling area has been built as a holding area for waste and accommodates paper, cardboard, two grades of plastics, light bulbs, polystyrene, cooking oil, printer cartridges, batteries and aluminium. Food waste is handled by a specialist Big Hanna composter which reduces the compost volume by 90%. This compost along with ash from the pellet boilers, leaf mould and mulched grass is all used on the grounds. Waste cooking oil is now converted to bio diesel and reused.
Bedrooms are fitted with green bins so guests can join in the environmental effort and bins are supplied in all public areas. For the last seven years the leisure centre has achieved the White Flag ILAM (Institute of Leisure & Amenities Management) for water management and recycling.
Biodiversity/improving natural habitats
A nature trail is being developed in the woodland around the hotel and an arboriculture plan, including constant replanting, is being followed. The pathways have been cleared and are used for pony trekking as part of the go!kids! children’s club. This is an area of focus for 2010.
Use of “green” suppliers or materials
As many suppliers as possible have green credentials or supply environmentally friendly products, increasing this number by 20% was set as a goal for 2009 and has been achieved. We now have 24 green suppliers.
Energy and/or water efficiency
Oil has been replaced with Irish supplied sustainable wood pellet and solar heating systems. Electricity use has been significantly reduced. All new building incorporates best energy practices in air tightness and insulation, and retrofitting of the 1960s section is ongoing. Lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs and 3W LED corridor lights have been replaced with 2.3W which give better light.
The ongoing water management programme includes monitoring and controls. Hippo bags are fitted in all cisterns, sensors in urinals and push taps introduced to cut down on water use. Flow regulators were fitted on taps in 111 rooms this year. Tests are underway on low flow shower heads. 11 new bathroom pods were fitted in 2008 and had ‘planned for’ ultra efficient fittings.
In the leisure centre a wood pellet boiler heats the swimming pool and a liquid pool blanket retains heat and reduces energy use. The exercise bikes are dynamo driven and 12 individual TV sets have been replaced with 2 low energy screens. A more efficient control system has been introduced for air handling. Natural light coming through large windows all over the hotel reduces need for artificial light. Heat flow meters have been fitted.
Minimising traffic/use of private vehicles/green transport strategies
Guests are encouraged to arrive by train and are offered complimentary transport from the station and staff and management use trains for travel to and from Dublin for meetings. An online Green Tourism Survey was carried out for the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa by Simply Zesty, social media partners; the results will be out in October. Bicycles are supplied for the use of guests. Guests are provided with walking maps of Westport and are encouraged to enjoy ‘low octane’ entertainment.
Efforts to support the training, safety, diversity, health and engagement of your staff
Employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work. The ‘Green Team’ comprised of employees is dedicated to implementing simple new ideas for a better way to do profitable business. Employees are completely involved in the whole greening process and many of the best energy saving ideas have come from them.
Staff undergo regular Environmental and Health & Safety training including Manual Handling and Chemical Training. The hotel follows the Fáilte Ireland Optimus and Best Practice programmes. This is evidenced by a short listing for the Small Firms Association HR Awards in 2007. The SEI award for co-ordinated Energy Management and ILAM Quality White Flag Awards help in better management and in continually raising standards.
Employees have free leisure centre membership to encourage activity, and are offered discounted use of the spa.
Community involvement and support for the local economy
The hotel works closely with the local Tidy Towns committee and the town council on environmental issues and is also an active member of the Destination Westport marketing group. Environmental work experience is provided for hotel management students with an emphasis on environmental procurement and energy management. Michael Lennon addresses conferences and student groups regularly on environmental issues including the SEI, IHF and Céifinn Student conferences. He has also been interviewed on national television and radio on environmental issues in business.
The hotel was a case study in the Fáilte Ireland Review of Good Environmental Practice and Policy in Tourism and by the Department of the Environment. Michael Lennon is a member of the Environmental Review Committee of Equestrian Holidays Ireland. For the past three years the hotel has won the Environmental Section of the Mayo Business Awards.
Achievements 2008/2009
Waste has been reduced by 25% (40 tons to 30 tons)
The number of “green” suppliers has increased by c. 20%
A focus has been put on better environmental water management. Accurate readings are available since Mayo County Council installed new meters. Up to this point, we relied on estimates, making it very difficult to calculate key performance indicators.
Water restrictors were fitted to taps in 123 bedrooms which reduced flows to 4 litres per minute.
Eleven new bedrooms were fitted with water efficient taps and shower heads.
The future/projections
Our aim is to become carbon neutral. The hotel continues self-audit guidelines laid down by the Green Hospitality Awards. The Clean Technology Centre provides an ongoing monitoring system and benchmarks against Irish and international industry standards. The energy consumption has reduced from 2.8 to 2.4 megawatts per annum. In overall terms energy costs have remained static despite a 30-40% rise in costs over the last three years.
Ronan Meally Consulting Engineers conducted a complete energy audit and feasibility study in 2006/7. In the future we plan to look at natural gas/micro CHP units in the hotel and invest in grey and brown water systems.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Story of Going Green at the Westport Woods Hotel
Irish Hospitality Institute
Hospitality Manager of the Year – Environmental Application
Edited by Lesley Emerson PR West & Michael Lennon
Areas of responsibility
· General management of Westport Woods Hotel and Spa. Sustainability and
profitability of the business, vision of the business
· Environmental management – sustainability, reducing utility costs
· Marketing focus – website development, innovation
Mentor of HR Manager activities – customer care, Optimus, training developments, Best Practice Business
· Financial Management – direction to Financial Controller and management team to
achieve the business goals and requirements.
· Change Management – in challenging times, response/reaction, not just business as
usual
Elaboration on each of these bullet points is included in the headings below.
Nominator: Mark Thornton FIHI, DTA Marketing (Tel: 01 6610022, Mobile: 086 2555702)
1. Leadership/Management Ability
Michael Lennon and Joanne McEniff have been the senior management team of the Westport Woods Hotel and Spa for 13 years. During this time he has developed, expanded and improved the hotel from a 57 bed to a 113 bed hotel. They have added a leisure centre with swimming pool and a spa, expanded the function facilities, and developed a new expanded cafe/bar. All of these expansions, renovations and extensions have worked to a master plan and have enhanced the appearance and function of the hotel both from outside and on the inside. Everything was co-ordinated and systematic.
Around seven years ago Michael Lennon was ahead of his time in spotting the environmental opportunity within the Westport Woods Hotel and Spa. He began with bio diversity by regenerating the 14 acres of woodland on the hotel site using a professional arborculturalist. From this he introduced the notion of eco-friendliness to the hotel itself and has worked since then to make concern for the environment part of the culture and inherent in the management. This has happened through including the environment in the hotel Mission Statement and through developing and following a comprehensive environmental plan.
The hotel operates in a commercial world and it was essential that any investment or effort repaid itself within a reasonable timeframe. Michael Lennon’s methodical research and engagement of the most appropriate professionals has ensured that this has happened. In fact the environmental achievements have resulted in significant savings for the hotel.
Michael Lennon recognised the opportunities to use the greening process as a marketing tool and has done this effectively, presenting the hotel as Ireland’s greenest and picking up a considerable number of awards along the way. Each award offers a new opportunity for positive PR.
It was clear to Michael Lennon that taking a co-operative approach was the way forward and he began working with the Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP), as well as the various IHF and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) environmental initiatives. Corporate and social responsibility is also important and the Westport Woods works closely with the very successful local Tidy Towns Organisation and Westport Town Council on environmental issues and is also an active member of the Destination Westport marketing group. Environmental work experience is provided for hotel management students with an emphasis on environmental procurement and energy management.
He is also keen to share his learning with other hotels and does this through presentations and talks with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), the SEI and as part of the Green Hospitality Award programme which is a step-by-step environmental management programme specifically designed for the hospitality industry. It is sponsored by the EPA and involves about 200 catering establishments around the country. This includes benchmarking, relevant training and developing new ideas. Awards are given at Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. The Westport Woods Hotel & Spa has achieved the Gold standard and is aiming to reach Platinum.
2. Track Record
Michael Lennon’s track record has been very impressive. He is totally committed to service excellence and the hotel is following the Fáilte Ireland Optimus Programme. He has built the environmental programme from humble beginnings to something which permeates every aspect of the hotel and every department without detracting from the guest experience. Greening is now totally integrated with the hotel culture.
His track record can be encapsulated in one word – consistency. Everything he has spearheaded within the hotel since the environmental programme began has related to it. This includes waste management, energy management and water management, all of which are closely monitored and controlled.
All retrofitting of the original buildings has made them more environmentally friendly, all new building has been to international best practice environmental building regulations and standards. Guests have been kept informed through PR and marketing material (website, brochures and DVD in lobby) and have been invited to contribute by using green bins in the bedrooms.
The general public is becoming ever more aware of their impact on the environment and more concerned about making an effort to minimise this impact. Guests will choose the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa if they can have a genuinely excellent holiday experience while minimising their environmental impact compared to other hotels. The feedback from guests shows that they are happy to feel that they are making a contribution.
Social networking is one of the newest ways to communicate and Michael Lennon has engaged fully with this using eZines, Twitter accounts, Facebook and eTalk on the hotel website to communicate and to underline the green message. You Tube has also been used to communicate and widen the effect of the Greening DVD. Recently he commissioned an online survey of green attitudes in holidaymakers.
As General Manager, Michael Lennon has made a point of employing “environmental champions” in each department, giving them relevant training and developing their expertise. The Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP), Green Hospitality Awards (GHA) and SEI ongoing training programmes have all been used to help achieve the hotel’s environmental goals.
(See Graph 1 and Graph 2 attached)
3. Results Achieved
The results achieved have been tangible. The hotel carbon emissions have been reduced by 80% over 6 years. Waste going to landfill has been cut down by 400%, reducing from 280 tonnes per annum in 2002 right down to 30 tonnes this year. At the same time there has been an increased awareness of recycling up to twelve different waste streams and this has doubled year on year during the same period and will continue to grow. Michael Lennon continues to drive the environmental effort determinedly towards a carbon neutral situation.
For the last two years the hotel has not used any oil for heating, instead using Irish supplied sustainable woodchip, wood pellet and solar heating systems. Electricity use has been significantly reduced. All new building incorporates best energy practices in air tightness and insulation, and retrofitting of the 1960s section is ongoing. Lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs. Ice is made at night time to reduce day time electrical peak demand. The ongoing water management programme includes monitoring, controlling and acting. Hippo bags are fitted in all cisterns, sensors in urinals and push taps introduced to cut down on water use.
The leisure centre is traditionally a heavy user of energy and the Westport Woods Hotel has dealt with this very effectively. A wood pellet boiler heats the swimming pool and a liquid pool blanket retains heat and reduces energy use. The exercise bikes are now dynamo driven and 12 individual TV sets have been replaced with 2 low energy screens. A more efficient control system has been introduced for air handling. Natural light coming through large windows all over the hotel reduces need for artificial light.
An ultra-efficient composting system has been put in place, allowing composting of cooked foods as well as raw materials. The playground has a Playtop surface comprised of recycled car tyres and incorporating Nike Grind. The adventure area is surfaced with natural tree bark from local suppliers.
Bicycles and bicycle racks are supplied for the use of guests and employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work. Guests are encouraged to take the train to Westport and a free pick up service is available. Guests are invited to walk or hike locally and horse trekking from the hotel’s own stables provides an alternative to quad bikes, driving or other high-energy use entertainment.
The Westport Woods Hotel has been benchmarked against other Green hotels both domestic and international for environmental best practice. It matches up very well and leads in many and can truly be defined as a World Class Environmentally managed business.
The future/projections
Michael Lennon’s vision for the future involves reaching a zero carbon footprint for the hotel and continuing to develop and improve environmental systems. For example, the hotel already recycles used kitchen oil into bio-diesel and the horse transport lorry will be converted to use this. He also plans to fully develop a nature trail in the woodland surrounding the hotel and to increase the number of green suppliers and green materials used.
The hotel continues self-audit guidelines laid down by the Green Hospitality Awards. The Clean Technology Centre provides an ongoing monitoring system and benchmarks against Irish and international industry standards. The energy consumption has reduced from 2.8 to 2.4 megawatts per annum. In overall terms energy costs have remained static despite a 30-40% rise in costs over the last three years.
Ronan Meally Consulting Engineers conducted a complete energy audit and feasibility study in 2006/7. In the future we plan to look at natural gas/micro CHP units in the hotel and invest in grey and brown water systems.
4. Professional Development
Rockwell College of Catering
City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 in professional cookery (1982-84)
Dublin College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street
Diploma in Hotel Management (1984-87)
Marketing Institute of Ireland
Certificate in Marketing, part-time distance learning (1990-96)
University of Limerick
Diploma in Equine Science, part-time distance learning (2000-07)
Professional Work Experience
Novotel Mannheim, Germany 1985
Noga Hilton, Geneva, Switzerland 1986
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny 1987 - 1988
Chicago Hilton & Towers 1988 - 1990
Slaney Hotel, Tullow, Co Carlow 1990 - 1991
Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Sq, Galway 1991 - 1992
Brian McEniff Hotels, Sales & Marketing 1992 - 1995
Westport Woods Hotel & Spa 1995 - to present
Hotel & Marketing Mentors
Mr Bobby Kerr Senior (RIP), Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Mr Brian McEniff, Brian McEniff Hotels
Mr Douglas Thornton, DTA Consulting
Michael Lennon has also attended regular courses on Health & Safety, hotel customer care, marketing, environmental management seminars throughout his hotel career presented by CERT, Bord Fáilte, Fáilte Ireland, Computers IIA, IBEC, IHF, AIRE, IHCI's CGPP and the GHA's quarterly reviews.
Green Suppliers to the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Green Supplier
Commodity
1 Airtricity - electricity
2 Balcas - wood pellets
3 Ecolabs - phosphate free cleaning products
4 HBF BioFuels - waste cooking oil converted to bio diesel
5 Bourke Waste - general waste and recycling
6 Ecocem - concrete
7 Munster Joinery - 0.8U value windows pms
8 Rural Generation - Energy Cabin and solar and pellet boilers
9 Igneus - 220kW pellet boiler to heat the swimming pool
10 Clearpower -150kW pellet boiler for heating
11 Danfoss -heat flow meters
12 Apricot Environmental - Big Hanna Composter
13 Nature Play - recycled tyres/Nike Grind surface in the playground
14 Pool & Spa Services - automatic water based pool blanket
15 Prima Fitness - dynamo exercise bikes
16 CEF Electrical - energy efficient lighting
17 Cliffords - energy efficient lighting
18 Robert Roberts- Fairtrade coffee and energy efficient equipment
19 Snap Print - printing on FSC/PEFC accredited recycled paper
20 Green Hospitality - training and monitoring
21 SEI - advice and financial support
22 Thermoair - air handling unit for the bar
23 Clarkes Fish - organic salmon
24 Michael Hoban - arboricultural and biodiversity advice
25 John Kavanagh - developing nature walk
26 Ronan Meally Consulting -natural gas advice and audit
Hospitality Manager of the Year – Environmental Application
Edited by Lesley Emerson PR West & Michael Lennon
Areas of responsibility
· General management of Westport Woods Hotel and Spa. Sustainability and
profitability of the business, vision of the business
· Environmental management – sustainability, reducing utility costs
· Marketing focus – website development, innovation
Mentor of HR Manager activities – customer care, Optimus, training developments, Best Practice Business
· Financial Management – direction to Financial Controller and management team to
achieve the business goals and requirements.
· Change Management – in challenging times, response/reaction, not just business as
usual
Elaboration on each of these bullet points is included in the headings below.
Nominator: Mark Thornton FIHI, DTA Marketing (Tel: 01 6610022, Mobile: 086 2555702)
1. Leadership/Management Ability
Michael Lennon and Joanne McEniff have been the senior management team of the Westport Woods Hotel and Spa for 13 years. During this time he has developed, expanded and improved the hotel from a 57 bed to a 113 bed hotel. They have added a leisure centre with swimming pool and a spa, expanded the function facilities, and developed a new expanded cafe/bar. All of these expansions, renovations and extensions have worked to a master plan and have enhanced the appearance and function of the hotel both from outside and on the inside. Everything was co-ordinated and systematic.
Around seven years ago Michael Lennon was ahead of his time in spotting the environmental opportunity within the Westport Woods Hotel and Spa. He began with bio diversity by regenerating the 14 acres of woodland on the hotel site using a professional arborculturalist. From this he introduced the notion of eco-friendliness to the hotel itself and has worked since then to make concern for the environment part of the culture and inherent in the management. This has happened through including the environment in the hotel Mission Statement and through developing and following a comprehensive environmental plan.
The hotel operates in a commercial world and it was essential that any investment or effort repaid itself within a reasonable timeframe. Michael Lennon’s methodical research and engagement of the most appropriate professionals has ensured that this has happened. In fact the environmental achievements have resulted in significant savings for the hotel.
Michael Lennon recognised the opportunities to use the greening process as a marketing tool and has done this effectively, presenting the hotel as Ireland’s greenest and picking up a considerable number of awards along the way. Each award offers a new opportunity for positive PR.
It was clear to Michael Lennon that taking a co-operative approach was the way forward and he began working with the Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP), as well as the various IHF and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) environmental initiatives. Corporate and social responsibility is also important and the Westport Woods works closely with the very successful local Tidy Towns Organisation and Westport Town Council on environmental issues and is also an active member of the Destination Westport marketing group. Environmental work experience is provided for hotel management students with an emphasis on environmental procurement and energy management.
He is also keen to share his learning with other hotels and does this through presentations and talks with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), the SEI and as part of the Green Hospitality Award programme which is a step-by-step environmental management programme specifically designed for the hospitality industry. It is sponsored by the EPA and involves about 200 catering establishments around the country. This includes benchmarking, relevant training and developing new ideas. Awards are given at Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. The Westport Woods Hotel & Spa has achieved the Gold standard and is aiming to reach Platinum.
2. Track Record
Michael Lennon’s track record has been very impressive. He is totally committed to service excellence and the hotel is following the Fáilte Ireland Optimus Programme. He has built the environmental programme from humble beginnings to something which permeates every aspect of the hotel and every department without detracting from the guest experience. Greening is now totally integrated with the hotel culture.
His track record can be encapsulated in one word – consistency. Everything he has spearheaded within the hotel since the environmental programme began has related to it. This includes waste management, energy management and water management, all of which are closely monitored and controlled.
All retrofitting of the original buildings has made them more environmentally friendly, all new building has been to international best practice environmental building regulations and standards. Guests have been kept informed through PR and marketing material (website, brochures and DVD in lobby) and have been invited to contribute by using green bins in the bedrooms.
The general public is becoming ever more aware of their impact on the environment and more concerned about making an effort to minimise this impact. Guests will choose the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa if they can have a genuinely excellent holiday experience while minimising their environmental impact compared to other hotels. The feedback from guests shows that they are happy to feel that they are making a contribution.
Social networking is one of the newest ways to communicate and Michael Lennon has engaged fully with this using eZines, Twitter accounts, Facebook and eTalk on the hotel website to communicate and to underline the green message. You Tube has also been used to communicate and widen the effect of the Greening DVD. Recently he commissioned an online survey of green attitudes in holidaymakers.
As General Manager, Michael Lennon has made a point of employing “environmental champions” in each department, giving them relevant training and developing their expertise. The Cleaner Greener Production Programme (CGPP), Green Hospitality Awards (GHA) and SEI ongoing training programmes have all been used to help achieve the hotel’s environmental goals.
(See Graph 1 and Graph 2 attached)
3. Results Achieved
The results achieved have been tangible. The hotel carbon emissions have been reduced by 80% over 6 years. Waste going to landfill has been cut down by 400%, reducing from 280 tonnes per annum in 2002 right down to 30 tonnes this year. At the same time there has been an increased awareness of recycling up to twelve different waste streams and this has doubled year on year during the same period and will continue to grow. Michael Lennon continues to drive the environmental effort determinedly towards a carbon neutral situation.
For the last two years the hotel has not used any oil for heating, instead using Irish supplied sustainable woodchip, wood pellet and solar heating systems. Electricity use has been significantly reduced. All new building incorporates best energy practices in air tightness and insulation, and retrofitting of the 1960s section is ongoing. Lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs. Ice is made at night time to reduce day time electrical peak demand. The ongoing water management programme includes monitoring, controlling and acting. Hippo bags are fitted in all cisterns, sensors in urinals and push taps introduced to cut down on water use.
The leisure centre is traditionally a heavy user of energy and the Westport Woods Hotel has dealt with this very effectively. A wood pellet boiler heats the swimming pool and a liquid pool blanket retains heat and reduces energy use. The exercise bikes are now dynamo driven and 12 individual TV sets have been replaced with 2 low energy screens. A more efficient control system has been introduced for air handling. Natural light coming through large windows all over the hotel reduces need for artificial light.
An ultra-efficient composting system has been put in place, allowing composting of cooked foods as well as raw materials. The playground has a Playtop surface comprised of recycled car tyres and incorporating Nike Grind. The adventure area is surfaced with natural tree bark from local suppliers.
Bicycles and bicycle racks are supplied for the use of guests and employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work. Guests are encouraged to take the train to Westport and a free pick up service is available. Guests are invited to walk or hike locally and horse trekking from the hotel’s own stables provides an alternative to quad bikes, driving or other high-energy use entertainment.
The Westport Woods Hotel has been benchmarked against other Green hotels both domestic and international for environmental best practice. It matches up very well and leads in many and can truly be defined as a World Class Environmentally managed business.
The future/projections
Michael Lennon’s vision for the future involves reaching a zero carbon footprint for the hotel and continuing to develop and improve environmental systems. For example, the hotel already recycles used kitchen oil into bio-diesel and the horse transport lorry will be converted to use this. He also plans to fully develop a nature trail in the woodland surrounding the hotel and to increase the number of green suppliers and green materials used.
The hotel continues self-audit guidelines laid down by the Green Hospitality Awards. The Clean Technology Centre provides an ongoing monitoring system and benchmarks against Irish and international industry standards. The energy consumption has reduced from 2.8 to 2.4 megawatts per annum. In overall terms energy costs have remained static despite a 30-40% rise in costs over the last three years.
Ronan Meally Consulting Engineers conducted a complete energy audit and feasibility study in 2006/7. In the future we plan to look at natural gas/micro CHP units in the hotel and invest in grey and brown water systems.
4. Professional Development
Rockwell College of Catering
City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 in professional cookery (1982-84)
Dublin College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street
Diploma in Hotel Management (1984-87)
Marketing Institute of Ireland
Certificate in Marketing, part-time distance learning (1990-96)
University of Limerick
Diploma in Equine Science, part-time distance learning (2000-07)
Professional Work Experience
Novotel Mannheim, Germany 1985
Noga Hilton, Geneva, Switzerland 1986
Newpark Hotel Kilkenny 1987 - 1988
Chicago Hilton & Towers 1988 - 1990
Slaney Hotel, Tullow, Co Carlow 1990 - 1991
Great Southern Hotel, Eyre Sq, Galway 1991 - 1992
Brian McEniff Hotels, Sales & Marketing 1992 - 1995
Westport Woods Hotel & Spa 1995 - to present
Hotel & Marketing Mentors
Mr Bobby Kerr Senior (RIP), Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Mr Brian McEniff, Brian McEniff Hotels
Mr Douglas Thornton, DTA Consulting
Michael Lennon has also attended regular courses on Health & Safety, hotel customer care, marketing, environmental management seminars throughout his hotel career presented by CERT, Bord Fáilte, Fáilte Ireland, Computers IIA, IBEC, IHF, AIRE, IHCI's CGPP and the GHA's quarterly reviews.
Green Suppliers to the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Green Supplier
Commodity
1 Airtricity - electricity
2 Balcas - wood pellets
3 Ecolabs - phosphate free cleaning products
4 HBF BioFuels - waste cooking oil converted to bio diesel
5 Bourke Waste - general waste and recycling
6 Ecocem - concrete
7 Munster Joinery - 0.8U value windows pms
8 Rural Generation - Energy Cabin and solar and pellet boilers
9 Igneus - 220kW pellet boiler to heat the swimming pool
10 Clearpower -150kW pellet boiler for heating
11 Danfoss -heat flow meters
12 Apricot Environmental - Big Hanna Composter
13 Nature Play - recycled tyres/Nike Grind surface in the playground
14 Pool & Spa Services - automatic water based pool blanket
15 Prima Fitness - dynamo exercise bikes
16 CEF Electrical - energy efficient lighting
17 Cliffords - energy efficient lighting
18 Robert Roberts- Fairtrade coffee and energy efficient equipment
19 Snap Print - printing on FSC/PEFC accredited recycled paper
20 Green Hospitality - training and monitoring
21 SEI - advice and financial support
22 Thermoair - air handling unit for the bar
23 Clarkes Fish - organic salmon
24 Michael Hoban - arboricultural and biodiversity advice
25 John Kavanagh - developing nature walk
26 Ronan Meally Consulting -natural gas advice and audit
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Westport Woods Hotel & Spa, Green Hospitality Award Member
Top 12 Reasons of 'Why' Westport Woods Hotel & Spa is Going Green
1. 52% of visitors to Ireland would seek to stay in a hotel that has reduced its environmental impact – 35% would pay more! (Fáilte Ireland 2008 Visitors survey)
2. 33% of USA Travellers would be willing to spend more for a hotel with environmental certification (Tripadvisor 2008 US Traveller survey)
3. Green Hotels have lower costs. Green Hospitality Award winners demonstrate substantial reductions in costs – Energy – up to 25%, Water – up to 50%, Waste – up to 75%. (GHA Statistics 2007)
4. International Corporations (US, UK & European) with Corporate Social Responsible programmes and Carbon Neutral programmes are requesting environmentally friendly hotels when booking accommodation, meetings rooms etc (Irish Hotel Sales Managers 2008)
5. Discover Ireland will introduce a “Green” filter on the www.discoverireland.ie website in 2009 (Fáilte Ireland Environment Unit 2009)
6. Green Hospitality Award members can maintain their competitiveness by becoming more environmentally friendly, continually improving their business and giving recognition to colleagues whom walk the walk and save raw resources.
7. Green Hospitality Award members can ensure they are legally compliant with fast changing environmental legislation which are regularly updated.
8. GHA members are continuously updated with Best Practice through the GHA Regional Workshops, Website and newsletter and members have access to a suite of tools, templates, benchmark workbooks etc that can add immediate value to the organisation
9. GHA members can access fully independent advice covering all areas of environmental management – Practices & Procedures, Waste, Water & Energy Management
10. Staff morale is appreciably improved where businesses implement environmental management principles
11. GHA members have access to Best Practice Guidelines and Case Studies which are regularly updated and reviewed
12. GHA is the best value for money environmental management programme available within the Irish Market and delivers on-site reviews and audits to maximise member’s performance.
As written by Maurice J Bergin, Green Hospitality Awards (GHA)
18 May, 2009
1. 52% of visitors to Ireland would seek to stay in a hotel that has reduced its environmental impact – 35% would pay more! (Fáilte Ireland 2008 Visitors survey)
2. 33% of USA Travellers would be willing to spend more for a hotel with environmental certification (Tripadvisor 2008 US Traveller survey)
3. Green Hotels have lower costs. Green Hospitality Award winners demonstrate substantial reductions in costs – Energy – up to 25%, Water – up to 50%, Waste – up to 75%. (GHA Statistics 2007)
4. International Corporations (US, UK & European) with Corporate Social Responsible programmes and Carbon Neutral programmes are requesting environmentally friendly hotels when booking accommodation, meetings rooms etc (Irish Hotel Sales Managers 2008)
5. Discover Ireland will introduce a “Green” filter on the www.discoverireland.ie website in 2009 (Fáilte Ireland Environment Unit 2009)
6. Green Hospitality Award members can maintain their competitiveness by becoming more environmentally friendly, continually improving their business and giving recognition to colleagues whom walk the walk and save raw resources.
7. Green Hospitality Award members can ensure they are legally compliant with fast changing environmental legislation which are regularly updated.
8. GHA members are continuously updated with Best Practice through the GHA Regional Workshops, Website and newsletter and members have access to a suite of tools, templates, benchmark workbooks etc that can add immediate value to the organisation
9. GHA members can access fully independent advice covering all areas of environmental management – Practices & Procedures, Waste, Water & Energy Management
10. Staff morale is appreciably improved where businesses implement environmental management principles
11. GHA members have access to Best Practice Guidelines and Case Studies which are regularly updated and reviewed
12. GHA is the best value for money environmental management programme available within the Irish Market and delivers on-site reviews and audits to maximise member’s performance.
As written by Maurice J Bergin, Green Hospitality Awards (GHA)
18 May, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009 from The Irish Times by Jemma Tipton
How to make a splash on horseback
Tourists have been discovering how special horse riding here is for years. Now there’s an easier way for us to find out, too, writes GEMMA TIPTON
THERE HAS BEEN a good deal of talk about getting back to basics in the tourism industry, of valuing what we do best and playing to our strengths. As those strengths include horses famed the world over for their good nature, beauty, intelligence and speed, it’s no surprise that Discover Ireland has launched a website – www.discoverireland.ie/equestrian – dedicated to horsey holidays.
There are 47 equestrian tourism centres around the country on the Discover Ireland registry, offering lazy horse-drawn caravan trails, thrilling gallops and cross-country courses for experienced riders, calm ponies for small children and gentle trekking for enthusiastic novices.
We headed to Co Mayo to see how special a horse holiday can be. With a group that was a mixture of beginners and more experienced riders, none of us was sure quite what to expect from our ride out.
We had met up at Knockranny House Hotel Spa, at the edge of Westport, and gone on for a tasty seafood lunch at Quay Cottage before meeting Michael Lennon from Westport Woods Riding Centre on one of the beaches of Clew Bay.
I had just been rereading The Irish RM, by Somerville and Ross, and when Lennon led his horses down the ramp of a lorry I pictured him as a sort of Flurry Knox character: that quintessentially Irish type who knows horses and has a particular ability to pair the right horse with the right rider.
In the chapter I had just read, Maj Yeates and his wife had mistakenly been given “the best horses in Ireland” to go hunting on, and I felt a strange sensation of life imitating art as Lennon pointed me to an enormous, and enormously beautiful, black horse that was waiting, grazing, at the edge of the bay.
“Is there anything I should know about him?” I asked as I was given a vital leg-up, me being rather short and the horse being very tall. “Best horse in Ireland,” said Lennon, and the impression was complete.
As it turned out he was right. While the part of our group who hadn’t ridden before were getting used to the feel of their horses and gaining in confidence, we made a couple of circles in the sand before giving in to the temptation that had been growing since arrival – and galloping through the sea, between the shore and the rising slopes of Croagh Patrick.
My animal – an Irish Sport Horse, which is a combination of Thoroughbred and Irish Draught – was strong but good natured, powerful but willing to listen to his rider, and when my friend yelled “Next stop Tír na nÓg” as we raced along I knew exactly what she meant.
We rounded off the ride all together, trekking around the bay, the new riders now comfortable and happy on horseback, before heading back to the hotel for a spa treatment to soothe tired muscles, followed by a relaxing drink to toast the pleasures of the day.
I have ridden in the US, England and Hungary, and, while it may be national pride, I feel that there’s something unique about the Irish relationship with horses, and it’s something that’s hard to put into words. It’s remarkably free of the snobbery that can put people off horses in some countries, and international visitors have been discovering how special horse riding here is for years. This website will make it easier for them and us to enjoy what is, for me, an unbeatable thrill.
On the site you’ll find horse-riding centres, some with accommodation, and some where only the horses and ponies stay overnight, all around the country. You can specify if you want to go beach riding, trekking or cross-country, or even if you want to take lessons to learn, or perfect, your technique. Many centres host clinics where famous riders come to pass on their skills, from dressage to natural horsemanship to showjumping.
You can also visit the horse sales, go racing, see stud farms and experience Ireland’s famous horse fairs. You could watch polo in Phoenix Park (www.polo.ie) or try your hand at polocrosse, known as king of the one horse sports (www.polo crosse.ie). You might not make it to Tír na nÓg, but, like me, you might feel as if you’re already halfway there.
Westport Woods Riding Centre, 098-25811, http://www.westportwoodshotel.com/
5 unforgettable equestrian experiences
1 Dublin Horse Show RDS, Dublin, August 5th to 9th, 0818-300274, www.dublinhorseshow.com. Some of the world’s most fiercely contested showjumping, showing, side-saddle riding and competitions for magnificent stallions – you’ll find them all at Dublin Horse Show. It’s a highlight of the capital’s social calendar, too, as horse lovers converge from far and wide. Some might seem more intent on the champagne bar, but by the time the Nations Cup is being battled out you won’t find an eye off the main event.
2 Laytown Races Laytown, Co Meath, September 1st, 041-9842111, www.goracing.ie. Every year this beach hosts these famous races. The first recorded meeting here was in 1868. Charles Stewart Parnell was one of the early stewards. Over the years, despite the disapproval of the bishop of Meath at the turn of the century, they became a regular fixture on the racing calendar. There’s little to touch the sight of seeing horses flying along the sand between land and sea.
3 Trekking along the beach in Kerry Dingle Horse Riding, 066-9152199, www.dinglehorseriding.com. The beaches of Co Kerry are magnificent – and they’ve even been known to play polo at low tide on Inch Beach – but the beach at Dingle has an extra attraction. One bright January morning we trotted through the village and on to the deserted strand. As we reached a rocky part of the beach that jutted out to the sea, a fin appeared. The horses stood stock still and sniffed the air as Fungi the dolphin came out to greet us.
4 Attend the thoroughbred sales at Goffs Kill, Co Kildare, 045-886600, www.goffs.com. Could you pick the Yeats, Desert Orchid or Denman of the future simply by looking at a leggy foal? Could you spot what makes a proud and jumpy yearling a potential world-beater? See the drama unfold as some of racing’s most famous names bid against each other, each looking for that horse with the special something that will turn dreams of victory into a turn around the winner’s enclosure.
5 And for the family Mayo Horsedrawn Caravan Holidays (094-9032054, www.horsedrawncaravan.com) or Kilvahan Horse Drawn Caravans (Co Laois, 057-8735178, http://www.horsedrawncaravans.com/ ). See Ireland the timeless way on a horse-drawn caravan holiday. Meander through country lanes, stopping at farmhouses as you go. You don’t have to know anything about driving, or even riding, horses beforehand, as an introductory session before you set off will teach you everything you need to learn. It’s a relaxing holiday for adults that is guaranteed heaven for children.
Hotels with horses
** Castle Leslie. Glaslough, Co Monaghan, 047-88100, www.castleleslie.com. Choosing my favourite place to go riding in Ireland is next to impossible. But if I were to book tomorrow I’d choose Castle Leslie. You can bring your own horse (if you like) to ride through 400 hectares of private land, including woodland gallops, cross-country jumps, bridleways for gentle hacking and, to finish off, a plunge through a lake that had me laughing with the thrill. ** Kilcolman Rectory. Enniskean, Co Cork, 023-8822913, www.kilcolmanrectory.com. Georgian country-house BB where your horse can stay in a beautiful period stable – and possibly come away with delusions of horsey grandeur as a result. ** Mount Juliet Conrad Equestrian Centre. Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, 056-7773000, www.mountjuliet.ie. Ultra luxury at this five-star country-manor hotel, where travelling companions can – should they prefer – waste time on the golf course while you revel in enjoying the countryside on horseback. Trekking, trail riding and grassy gallops, plus masterclasses throughout the year. ** Bel-Air Hotel and Equestrian Centre. Ashford, Co Wicklow, 0404-40109, www.belairhotelequestrian.com. The country-house appeal of the Bel-Air is friendly and relaxed. There’s a slight sense of faded charm, but that’s all part of the fun, and the horse riding is fantastic. Not for beginners, there’s cross-country jumps, and forest rides. ** Westport Woods Hotel. Westport, Co Mayo, 098-25811, www.westport woodshotel.com. The stables are not on site at the hotel, but to be able to ride on the beach at Clew Bay and trek the foothills of Croagh Patrick more than makes up for not being able to see the stables from your bedroom window. ** Some centres also have equestrian accommodation, so if you can’t bear to be parted from your horse, just ask. For more holidays, see www.discoverireland.ie/equestrian
This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times
How to make a splash on horseback
Tourists have been discovering how special horse riding here is for years. Now there’s an easier way for us to find out, too, writes GEMMA TIPTON
THERE HAS BEEN a good deal of talk about getting back to basics in the tourism industry, of valuing what we do best and playing to our strengths. As those strengths include horses famed the world over for their good nature, beauty, intelligence and speed, it’s no surprise that Discover Ireland has launched a website – www.discoverireland.ie/equestrian – dedicated to horsey holidays.
There are 47 equestrian tourism centres around the country on the Discover Ireland registry, offering lazy horse-drawn caravan trails, thrilling gallops and cross-country courses for experienced riders, calm ponies for small children and gentle trekking for enthusiastic novices.
We headed to Co Mayo to see how special a horse holiday can be. With a group that was a mixture of beginners and more experienced riders, none of us was sure quite what to expect from our ride out.
We had met up at Knockranny House Hotel Spa, at the edge of Westport, and gone on for a tasty seafood lunch at Quay Cottage before meeting Michael Lennon from Westport Woods Riding Centre on one of the beaches of Clew Bay.
I had just been rereading The Irish RM, by Somerville and Ross, and when Lennon led his horses down the ramp of a lorry I pictured him as a sort of Flurry Knox character: that quintessentially Irish type who knows horses and has a particular ability to pair the right horse with the right rider.
In the chapter I had just read, Maj Yeates and his wife had mistakenly been given “the best horses in Ireland” to go hunting on, and I felt a strange sensation of life imitating art as Lennon pointed me to an enormous, and enormously beautiful, black horse that was waiting, grazing, at the edge of the bay.
“Is there anything I should know about him?” I asked as I was given a vital leg-up, me being rather short and the horse being very tall. “Best horse in Ireland,” said Lennon, and the impression was complete.
As it turned out he was right. While the part of our group who hadn’t ridden before were getting used to the feel of their horses and gaining in confidence, we made a couple of circles in the sand before giving in to the temptation that had been growing since arrival – and galloping through the sea, between the shore and the rising slopes of Croagh Patrick.
My animal – an Irish Sport Horse, which is a combination of Thoroughbred and Irish Draught – was strong but good natured, powerful but willing to listen to his rider, and when my friend yelled “Next stop Tír na nÓg” as we raced along I knew exactly what she meant.
We rounded off the ride all together, trekking around the bay, the new riders now comfortable and happy on horseback, before heading back to the hotel for a spa treatment to soothe tired muscles, followed by a relaxing drink to toast the pleasures of the day.
I have ridden in the US, England and Hungary, and, while it may be national pride, I feel that there’s something unique about the Irish relationship with horses, and it’s something that’s hard to put into words. It’s remarkably free of the snobbery that can put people off horses in some countries, and international visitors have been discovering how special horse riding here is for years. This website will make it easier for them and us to enjoy what is, for me, an unbeatable thrill.
On the site you’ll find horse-riding centres, some with accommodation, and some where only the horses and ponies stay overnight, all around the country. You can specify if you want to go beach riding, trekking or cross-country, or even if you want to take lessons to learn, or perfect, your technique. Many centres host clinics where famous riders come to pass on their skills, from dressage to natural horsemanship to showjumping.
You can also visit the horse sales, go racing, see stud farms and experience Ireland’s famous horse fairs. You could watch polo in Phoenix Park (www.polo.ie) or try your hand at polocrosse, known as king of the one horse sports (www.polo crosse.ie). You might not make it to Tír na nÓg, but, like me, you might feel as if you’re already halfway there.
Westport Woods Riding Centre, 098-25811, http://www.westportwoodshotel.com/
5 unforgettable equestrian experiences
1 Dublin Horse Show RDS, Dublin, August 5th to 9th, 0818-300274, www.dublinhorseshow.com. Some of the world’s most fiercely contested showjumping, showing, side-saddle riding and competitions for magnificent stallions – you’ll find them all at Dublin Horse Show. It’s a highlight of the capital’s social calendar, too, as horse lovers converge from far and wide. Some might seem more intent on the champagne bar, but by the time the Nations Cup is being battled out you won’t find an eye off the main event.
2 Laytown Races Laytown, Co Meath, September 1st, 041-9842111, www.goracing.ie. Every year this beach hosts these famous races. The first recorded meeting here was in 1868. Charles Stewart Parnell was one of the early stewards. Over the years, despite the disapproval of the bishop of Meath at the turn of the century, they became a regular fixture on the racing calendar. There’s little to touch the sight of seeing horses flying along the sand between land and sea.
3 Trekking along the beach in Kerry Dingle Horse Riding, 066-9152199, www.dinglehorseriding.com. The beaches of Co Kerry are magnificent – and they’ve even been known to play polo at low tide on Inch Beach – but the beach at Dingle has an extra attraction. One bright January morning we trotted through the village and on to the deserted strand. As we reached a rocky part of the beach that jutted out to the sea, a fin appeared. The horses stood stock still and sniffed the air as Fungi the dolphin came out to greet us.
4 Attend the thoroughbred sales at Goffs Kill, Co Kildare, 045-886600, www.goffs.com. Could you pick the Yeats, Desert Orchid or Denman of the future simply by looking at a leggy foal? Could you spot what makes a proud and jumpy yearling a potential world-beater? See the drama unfold as some of racing’s most famous names bid against each other, each looking for that horse with the special something that will turn dreams of victory into a turn around the winner’s enclosure.
5 And for the family Mayo Horsedrawn Caravan Holidays (094-9032054, www.horsedrawncaravan.com) or Kilvahan Horse Drawn Caravans (Co Laois, 057-8735178, http://www.horsedrawncaravans.com/ ). See Ireland the timeless way on a horse-drawn caravan holiday. Meander through country lanes, stopping at farmhouses as you go. You don’t have to know anything about driving, or even riding, horses beforehand, as an introductory session before you set off will teach you everything you need to learn. It’s a relaxing holiday for adults that is guaranteed heaven for children.
Hotels with horses
** Castle Leslie. Glaslough, Co Monaghan, 047-88100, www.castleleslie.com. Choosing my favourite place to go riding in Ireland is next to impossible. But if I were to book tomorrow I’d choose Castle Leslie. You can bring your own horse (if you like) to ride through 400 hectares of private land, including woodland gallops, cross-country jumps, bridleways for gentle hacking and, to finish off, a plunge through a lake that had me laughing with the thrill. ** Kilcolman Rectory. Enniskean, Co Cork, 023-8822913, www.kilcolmanrectory.com. Georgian country-house BB where your horse can stay in a beautiful period stable – and possibly come away with delusions of horsey grandeur as a result. ** Mount Juliet Conrad Equestrian Centre. Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, 056-7773000, www.mountjuliet.ie. Ultra luxury at this five-star country-manor hotel, where travelling companions can – should they prefer – waste time on the golf course while you revel in enjoying the countryside on horseback. Trekking, trail riding and grassy gallops, plus masterclasses throughout the year. ** Bel-Air Hotel and Equestrian Centre. Ashford, Co Wicklow, 0404-40109, www.belairhotelequestrian.com. The country-house appeal of the Bel-Air is friendly and relaxed. There’s a slight sense of faded charm, but that’s all part of the fun, and the horse riding is fantastic. Not for beginners, there’s cross-country jumps, and forest rides. ** Westport Woods Hotel. Westport, Co Mayo, 098-25811, www.westport woodshotel.com. The stables are not on site at the hotel, but to be able to ride on the beach at Clew Bay and trek the foothills of Croagh Patrick more than makes up for not being able to see the stables from your bedroom window. ** Some centres also have equestrian accommodation, so if you can’t bear to be parted from your horse, just ask. For more holidays, see www.discoverireland.ie/equestrian
This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times
Thursday, May 28, 2009
go!kids! Family Holidays at the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Family Holidays at the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Holidays should be all about fun for everyone and that’s what we have on offer here at the Westport Woods Hotel. Our free go!kids! club runs mornings and evenings to leave lots of time for parents to enjoy some leisure. Kids especially love the kiddie meals starting with the breakfast train first thing in the morning. go!kids! caters for kids from toddlers of three right up to teens.
Mums and Dads can take time to pamper themselves with a spa treatment in the Cedar Spa - a facial perhaps or a soothing massage. Don’t forget to leave time to enjoy the outdoor hot tub overlooking woodland. There’s nothing more delightful than lying back in steamy luxury, looking at the glories of nature.
When you’re feeling energetic, drop down to The Beech Club Leisure Centre; use is free of charge to all our guests. It has a fully equipped gym and lovely swimming pool as well as sauna and jacuzzi. Someone is always on hand to show you around.
The stylish Bench Café bar serves a bar food menu all day. It also features live entertainment every night so there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Take the opportunity to explore Westport as well, it’s a thriving cosmopolitan town full to bursting with interesting shops, craft and art exhibitions. It’s the reigning Tidy Towns champion, and it’s easy to see why - it’s just gorgeous. Ask at reception for details on the dozens of attractions in the surrounding area. You’ll find plenty to choose from between beaches, islands, the National Museum, Kylemore Abbey, Leenane and more.
Holidays should be all about fun for everyone and that’s what we have on offer here at the Westport Woods Hotel. Our free go!kids! club runs mornings and evenings to leave lots of time for parents to enjoy some leisure. Kids especially love the kiddie meals starting with the breakfast train first thing in the morning. go!kids! caters for kids from toddlers of three right up to teens.
Mums and Dads can take time to pamper themselves with a spa treatment in the Cedar Spa - a facial perhaps or a soothing massage. Don’t forget to leave time to enjoy the outdoor hot tub overlooking woodland. There’s nothing more delightful than lying back in steamy luxury, looking at the glories of nature.
When you’re feeling energetic, drop down to The Beech Club Leisure Centre; use is free of charge to all our guests. It has a fully equipped gym and lovely swimming pool as well as sauna and jacuzzi. Someone is always on hand to show you around.
The stylish Bench Café bar serves a bar food menu all day. It also features live entertainment every night so there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Take the opportunity to explore Westport as well, it’s a thriving cosmopolitan town full to bursting with interesting shops, craft and art exhibitions. It’s the reigning Tidy Towns champion, and it’s easy to see why - it’s just gorgeous. Ask at reception for details on the dozens of attractions in the surrounding area. You’ll find plenty to choose from between beaches, islands, the National Museum, Kylemore Abbey, Leenane and more.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Discover Ireland Volvo Ocean Race Pavilion
Discoverireland pavilion
The Volvo Ocean Race is coming to Galway, from Saturday May 23rd to June 6th 2009inclusive. Failte Ireland will have a large discoverireland.ie pavilion located directly in front of the main entrance of the Volvo Ocean Race Village on Queens St, Galway (next to the docks).
250 000 Irish and international holidaymakers are expected to visit the Race Village over its 15 days of operation. It will operate from 9.30 to 22.30 every day from 23rd May to 6th June.
There will be three areas within the pavilion: West Coast, East Coast and Lakelands, each of about 6m x 3m in size. There will be one Failte Ireland person manning each area at all times with members of the trade from the regions.
The schedule of activities for the 15 days and full information is available on the website of the event organiser, http://www.galwayvolvooceanrace.com/
Also on each stand at all times will be at least one animation (i.e. an interactive experience that will engage visitors, such as a surfer teaching people how to jump up on a surf board/ a bodhran player teaching them how to play the bodhran/ a living history character such as an Early Christian Monk explaining the heritage of a region/ a Good Food Ireland producer offering tastings.
For everyone in the pavilion, the concept is to give the visitor an interactive experience that they will engage with and remember, rather than just a brochure. The props will represent the tourism product available in their region e.g. there are already golf clubs, a mountain bike, a piece of bog oak and a surf board being brought along.
go!trekking! Equestrian Holidays Ireland will bring along a saddle and bridle for display, cleaning,. oiling and of course promotional value. Hopefully some of the sailors and their families will be interested in the Irish Sport Horse and go!trekking! Equestrain holidays in the West of Ireland.
Come and go visit us this week.
The Volvo Ocean Race is coming to Galway, from Saturday May 23rd to June 6th 2009inclusive. Failte Ireland will have a large discoverireland.ie pavilion located directly in front of the main entrance of the Volvo Ocean Race Village on Queens St, Galway (next to the docks).
250 000 Irish and international holidaymakers are expected to visit the Race Village over its 15 days of operation. It will operate from 9.30 to 22.30 every day from 23rd May to 6th June.
There will be three areas within the pavilion: West Coast, East Coast and Lakelands, each of about 6m x 3m in size. There will be one Failte Ireland person manning each area at all times with members of the trade from the regions.
The schedule of activities for the 15 days and full information is available on the website of the event organiser, http://www.galwayvolvooceanrace.com/
Also on each stand at all times will be at least one animation (i.e. an interactive experience that will engage visitors, such as a surfer teaching people how to jump up on a surf board/ a bodhran player teaching them how to play the bodhran/ a living history character such as an Early Christian Monk explaining the heritage of a region/ a Good Food Ireland producer offering tastings.
For everyone in the pavilion, the concept is to give the visitor an interactive experience that they will engage with and remember, rather than just a brochure. The props will represent the tourism product available in their region e.g. there are already golf clubs, a mountain bike, a piece of bog oak and a surf board being brought along.
go!trekking! Equestrian Holidays Ireland will bring along a saddle and bridle for display, cleaning,. oiling and of course promotional value. Hopefully some of the sailors and their families will be interested in the Irish Sport Horse and go!trekking! Equestrain holidays in the West of Ireland.
Come and go visit us this week.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
To all budding Badminton Breeders
Horse Sport Ireland Courses coming up in May and June that may be of interest to breeders in the Mayo area.
The first one starts next Monday evening May 18th:
Mare & Stallion Selection and Assessment: runs over 3 Monday evenings 7-10pm including light refreshments
This course is a must for any current or potential Sport Horse Breeder! During this course participants will research the pedigree of their own horses, discover the types of stallions to use for different breeding goals and measure a return on the investment. This course will include an assessment of existing and potential broodmares.
West: Drummindoo Stud, Westport, Co. Mayo
May 18th & 25th and June 8th
Care & Handling of Young Stock: 2 day course €80 (Lunch included)
This short course will be held in two regional centres in 2009. Including practical demonstrations by experienced breeders, participants will learn all the skills required to best manage their young stock from birth to three years of age.
West: Drummindoo Stud, Westport, Co. Mayo
June 15th & 22nd
If anyone would like more information or to register for these courses they can contact Lorraine or Nadia Rea on 045 854532/ nrea@horsesportireland.ie.
www.horsesportireland.ie
The first one starts next Monday evening May 18th:
Mare & Stallion Selection and Assessment: runs over 3 Monday evenings 7-10pm including light refreshments
This course is a must for any current or potential Sport Horse Breeder! During this course participants will research the pedigree of their own horses, discover the types of stallions to use for different breeding goals and measure a return on the investment. This course will include an assessment of existing and potential broodmares.
West: Drummindoo Stud, Westport, Co. Mayo
May 18th & 25th and June 8th
Care & Handling of Young Stock: 2 day course €80 (Lunch included)
This short course will be held in two regional centres in 2009. Including practical demonstrations by experienced breeders, participants will learn all the skills required to best manage their young stock from birth to three years of age.
West: Drummindoo Stud, Westport, Co. Mayo
June 15th & 22nd
If anyone would like more information or to register for these courses they can contact Lorraine or Nadia Rea on 045 854532/ nrea@horsesportireland.ie.
www.horsesportireland.ie
Friday, May 15, 2009
Green Entertainment and Leisure Award at the Westport Woods Hotel & Spa
Green Entertainment and Leisure Award
The Westport Woods Hotel is implementing an ongoing programme minimising their environmental impact while maintaining a profitable business. This hotel’s green vision leads the Irish hotel industry and has succeeded in reducing CO² emissions by 70% since 2004.
Recycling, waste minimisation and litter control
Huge strides have been made in reducing waste going to landfill - from 240 tonnes to less than 40 tonnes per annum, Guests are invited to join in by using the ‘green bin’ in all bedrooms. All waste is segregated and recycled or composted if possible. An ultra-efficient Big Hanna composter allows composting of cooked waste.
Boidiversity/improving natural habitats
An arboricultural plan is being followed for the extensive woodland and over 2,000 new hardwoods have been planted. A nature trail is being developed.
Use of “green” suppliers or materials
The new playground has a Playtop surface comprised of recycled car tyres and incorporating Nike Grind. The adventure area is surfaced with natural treebark from local suppliers. Other green suppliers include Kelly’s Sawmills (sustainable Irish timber), Balcas wood pellets, Ecowood chips and Henkle Ecolab who supply environmentally friendly phosphate free chemicals. Electricity is supplied by Airtricity. All hotel literature is printed on sustainable paper and even the distinct hotel treeline logo complements the green vision in all branding.
Energy and/or water efficiency
Oil has been replaced with Irish supplied sustainable woodchip, woodpellet and solar heating systems. Electricity use has been significantly reduced. All new building incorporates best energy practices in air tightness and insulation, and retrofitting of the 1960s section is ongoing. Lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs. Ice is made at night time to reduce day time peak demand. The ongoing water management programme includes monitoring, controlling and acting. Hippo bags are fitted in all cisterns, sensors in urinals and push taps introduced to cut down on water use.
In the leisure centre a wood pellet boiler heats the swimming pool and a liquid pool blanket retains heat and reduces energy use. The exercise bikes are now dynamo driven and 12 individual TV sets have been replaced with 2 low energy screens. A more efficient control system has been introduced for air handling. Natural light coming through large windows all over the hotel reduces need for artificial light.
Have you had an energy audit and what savings have you achieved to date
Ronan Melia Associates conducted a complete energy audit in 2006/7. The hotel follows self-audit guidelines laid down by the Green Hospitality Awards. The Clean Technology Centre provides an ongoing monitoring system and benchmarks against Irish and international industry standards. The energy consumption has reduced from 2.8 to 2.4 megawatts per annum. In overall terms energy costs have remained static despite a 30-40% rise in costs.
Minimising traffic/use of private vehicles/green transport strategies
Bicycles and bicycle racks are supplied for the use of guests and employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work. Guests are encouraged to take the train to Westport and a free pick up service is available. Guests are invited to walk or hike locally and horse trekking from the hotel’s own stables provides an alternative to quad bikes, driving or other high-energy use entertainment.
Initiatives that help improve the safety, security or health of workers
The ‘Green Team’ comprised of employees is dedicated to implementing simple new ideas for a better way to do profitable business. Employees are completely involved in the whole greening process and many of the best energy saving ideas have come from them.
Staff undergo regular Environmental and Health & Safety training including Manual Handling and Chemical Training. The hotel follows the Fáilte Ireland Optimus and Best Practice programmes. This is evidenced by a shortlisting for the Small Firms Association HR Awards in 2007. The SEI award for co-ordinated Energy Management and ILAM Quality White Flag Awards help in better management and in continually raising standards.
Employees have free leisure centre membership to encourage activity, and are offered discounted use of the spa.
Initiatives that improve the local economy and/or help the local community
Westport is the current national Tidy Towns winner and the hotel is involved in that effort. The local Tidy Towns organisation have put the hotel forward for a biodiversity award. Michael Lennon General Manager regularly speaks at national conferences on the greening experience and takes the opportunity to promote Westport. The hotel works closely with the Town Council and Town Architect following guidelines such as reinstating the old demesne wall, closing two entrances and introducing beech hedging. The hotel is very involved in the umbrella marketing organisation Destination Westport which actively promotes the town nationally and internationally and part-funds Tidy Towns.
The Westport Woods Hotel is implementing an ongoing programme minimising their environmental impact while maintaining a profitable business. This hotel’s green vision leads the Irish hotel industry and has succeeded in reducing CO² emissions by 70% since 2004.
Recycling, waste minimisation and litter control
Huge strides have been made in reducing waste going to landfill - from 240 tonnes to less than 40 tonnes per annum, Guests are invited to join in by using the ‘green bin’ in all bedrooms. All waste is segregated and recycled or composted if possible. An ultra-efficient Big Hanna composter allows composting of cooked waste.
Boidiversity/improving natural habitats
An arboricultural plan is being followed for the extensive woodland and over 2,000 new hardwoods have been planted. A nature trail is being developed.
Use of “green” suppliers or materials
The new playground has a Playtop surface comprised of recycled car tyres and incorporating Nike Grind. The adventure area is surfaced with natural treebark from local suppliers. Other green suppliers include Kelly’s Sawmills (sustainable Irish timber), Balcas wood pellets, Ecowood chips and Henkle Ecolab who supply environmentally friendly phosphate free chemicals. Electricity is supplied by Airtricity. All hotel literature is printed on sustainable paper and even the distinct hotel treeline logo complements the green vision in all branding.
Energy and/or water efficiency
Oil has been replaced with Irish supplied sustainable woodchip, woodpellet and solar heating systems. Electricity use has been significantly reduced. All new building incorporates best energy practices in air tightness and insulation, and retrofitting of the 1960s section is ongoing. Lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs. Ice is made at night time to reduce day time peak demand. The ongoing water management programme includes monitoring, controlling and acting. Hippo bags are fitted in all cisterns, sensors in urinals and push taps introduced to cut down on water use.
In the leisure centre a wood pellet boiler heats the swimming pool and a liquid pool blanket retains heat and reduces energy use. The exercise bikes are now dynamo driven and 12 individual TV sets have been replaced with 2 low energy screens. A more efficient control system has been introduced for air handling. Natural light coming through large windows all over the hotel reduces need for artificial light.
Have you had an energy audit and what savings have you achieved to date
Ronan Melia Associates conducted a complete energy audit in 2006/7. The hotel follows self-audit guidelines laid down by the Green Hospitality Awards. The Clean Technology Centre provides an ongoing monitoring system and benchmarks against Irish and international industry standards. The energy consumption has reduced from 2.8 to 2.4 megawatts per annum. In overall terms energy costs have remained static despite a 30-40% rise in costs.
Minimising traffic/use of private vehicles/green transport strategies
Bicycles and bicycle racks are supplied for the use of guests and employees are encouraged to cycle or walk to work. Guests are encouraged to take the train to Westport and a free pick up service is available. Guests are invited to walk or hike locally and horse trekking from the hotel’s own stables provides an alternative to quad bikes, driving or other high-energy use entertainment.
Initiatives that help improve the safety, security or health of workers
The ‘Green Team’ comprised of employees is dedicated to implementing simple new ideas for a better way to do profitable business. Employees are completely involved in the whole greening process and many of the best energy saving ideas have come from them.
Staff undergo regular Environmental and Health & Safety training including Manual Handling and Chemical Training. The hotel follows the Fáilte Ireland Optimus and Best Practice programmes. This is evidenced by a shortlisting for the Small Firms Association HR Awards in 2007. The SEI award for co-ordinated Energy Management and ILAM Quality White Flag Awards help in better management and in continually raising standards.
Employees have free leisure centre membership to encourage activity, and are offered discounted use of the spa.
Initiatives that improve the local economy and/or help the local community
Westport is the current national Tidy Towns winner and the hotel is involved in that effort. The local Tidy Towns organisation have put the hotel forward for a biodiversity award. Michael Lennon General Manager regularly speaks at national conferences on the greening experience and takes the opportunity to promote Westport. The hotel works closely with the Town Council and Town Architect following guidelines such as reinstating the old demesne wall, closing two entrances and introducing beech hedging. The hotel is very involved in the umbrella marketing organisation Destination Westport which actively promotes the town nationally and internationally and part-funds Tidy Towns.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
go!kids! Everyone Can Play
Building A New Brand Is Child's Play In every job that must be done, there is an element of funIn Every Job That Must Be DoneIt's summertime and the children are enjoying another day's play in the sun. But on the horizon, storm clouds are gathering. For the Westport Woods and Yeats' Country, two hotels in the west of Ireland who have offered family holidays for as long as they remember, the playground is growing a little too crowded for comfort.The new affluence, the lure of the overseas holiday and the addition of a whole new range of players to the market in Ireland have made this a fiercely competitive market. On top of that, the rules of the game are changing as health and safety regulations and insurance demands begin to bite.Clearly, something must be done, but what? At the Westport Woods, Michael Lennon had some ideas. He knew that you needed to be different in order to stand out from the crowd. He had recently taken a call from Gerard Tannam at Creative Inputs who had talked about branding and he determined to explore this a little further.There Is An Element Of FunPeople are often a little reluctant to talk about brand. When Gerard met with Michael and his colleagues at the two hotels and began to ask about the family holiday programme, he was surprised at how easily the talk turned to story. Invited to describe what was best about their family holidays, the staff became engaged and animated as they talked about this picnic on the beach, that fancy dress party or the first successful length of the swimming pool. They spoke fondly of the families who came back year after year, and the children who returned as eighteen year olds to work as KO's (Kiddie Organisers). As Gerard listened, he was struck by how warmly they spoke of their guests and the real interest they had in the children and their holidays. This was borne out in the other stories he heard: those told in the comment cards, the news articles and the letters from the children themselves.You Find The FunHe was also struck by something else. What he heard described above all else was the transformational role that a holiday plays in the life of the family. This is a golden time of year, when the days seem endless, when Mum and Dad are more relaxed and ready to play, and the child makes new friends, tries out new activities and grows taller and more confident.It is a time of delight, of magic and romance when the unexpected happens and the child catches glimpses of other worlds, hears new expressions and strange accents from other places, has that first crush and sees things a little differently.He was struck too by the part that the KO's play in all of this. For one or two weeks of the year, they are welcomed into the family circle where they transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, coax and cajole parents and children to play together again and generally turn things upside down.And Snap! In the telling of these family holiday stories in hotels in Mayo and Sligo, Gerard heard another story, one that describes how a family where the parents are too caugh up in their grown up world of business and politics to play with their two children, and where those children have grown wild and unruly as a result, have their lives turned upside down and transformed by the arrival of an extraordinary figure.There is an even older story, of course, but Gerard heard the story of Mary Poppins, the nanny who arrives magically into the household of the Banks family in London, and takes children first, and then parents, on a series of magical adventures which changes the way they see their world and their family life. At the end, the family has learned to play together again and whilst they head off to the park to fly a kite, Mary quietly takes her leave, her job complete.Michael and the team agreed that the Mary Poppins story would be a powerful one to use to inspire their own story and set about developing a framework for their new brand.The Job's A Game!First stop was Monika Crowley at Creative Inputs, who was invited to develop an identity that would reflect the values of this personality: family, connection, participation, self-worth and play; and infuse them with her uniquely brisk, challenging and magical way of doing things. The result was go!kids! with its lively tagline 'Everyone Can Play'.Next up, the team turned to Denis Goodbody at ADept Advertising, who developed a tone of voice for the new brand with lines such as: 'Give them a bit of space - they'll be over the moon'.They then turned to theatre company Barabbas to work with the teams at the two hotels to animate the brand and develop programmes of play that would reflect its values and priorities and to Douglas Thornton to deliver the training.Meanwhile, website development company Adnet tackled the online presence of the brand and created www.gokids.ie where the brand found even further expression.At the same time, the team considered all aspects of their traditional family holiday offer, including management, catering, facilities and recruitment, and determined how they might better deliver it in the spirit of the new brand.And Every Task You UndertakeThe choice of the new brand had an immediate effect on the business. The two hotels began to recognise their leadership position in the market and to tap into the transformational role of go!kids! in the life of the family. They saw themselves less as being in the business of beds and sleep (which is how many hotels see things) and more in the business of families and play.They adopted a confident, commanding tone in their communications and gained a new confidence in their own offer. They adapted the format, extended it to other parts of the year and identified new routes to market.Becomes A Piece Of Cake.Just as in the original story, the outcome was fairly dramatic. Michael and his team reported:An increase of 12% on summer business in the first year (on a design and production budget of €45,000). An immediate return on investment of 5:1 within four months of launch. A reduction in advertising spend of €6,000. An increase of 10% on year-round family holiday business (on a design and production budget of €12,000) in the second year.The team also described how the brand helped to hold room yields (whilst others in the market dropped theirs), retain key staff, encourage greater participation by parents and improve satisfaction levels."The go!kids! brand has rejuvenated our family holiday business, changed the way we see our offering and given us something fresh and distinctive to say to our market." Michael Lennon, The Westport Woods HotelCredits:Narrator: Michael Lennon of Westport Woods Hotel Direction: Gerard Tannam of Islandbridge Design: Monika Crowley of Creative Inputs Language: Denis Goodbody of ADept Advertising Training: Douglas Thornton of DTA Marketing Veronica Coburn and Raymond Keane of Barabbas - The Company Website: Alan Bell of Adnet
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