Fáilte Ireland cites lack of conference facilities for exclusion

WATERFORD has been excluded from another high prolife Fáilte Ireland map.
The map, on Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Meet in Ireland’ website which is aimed at international businesspeople, contains all of Ireland’s cities with the exception of Waterford – including Kilkenny.
Waterford is also absent from a separate list of Irish cities on the site while Waterford Airport, which is included on the map, is positioned near Dungarvan.
However, Gary Breen, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Operations in the South East, said that Waterford was absent because the city due to the city not meeting the criteria required to attract international conferences.
“The website has a specific purpose – business to business. It aims to facilitate the promotion of conference facilities in Ireland. It’s not a tourist site,” said Mr Breen.
“The criteria needed and the infrastructure required does not exist in Waterford. We can’t present something that isn’t fit for purpose.”
Mr Breen said Waterford had a deficit in the type of hotel required, which placed the city in a different position.
“We have a domestic offering in terms of conference facilities, not an international offering,” he said.
The delayed conference centre at WIT’s West Campus at Carriganore will, upon completion, provided the city and its environs with an adaptable facility capable of seating 2,000 delegates and/or theatre goers.
‘Gift Grub’ star and Waterford native Mario Rosenstock, who will perform his show in Cappoquin and Wexford this weekend, cited the absence of a 700-plus seater theatre space in the city when explaining why his ‘Gift Grub 3’ show didn’t include a date on Suirside.
Earlier this year, Tourism Ireland attracted criticism following the exclusion of Waterford City from another high profile tourist map.