Over 100 tourism and hospitality businesses gathered in Waterford City at the end of March to take part in the Waterford Rural Tourism Network Showcase, funded and supported by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland and delivered by Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions.

The Waterford Rural Tourism Network is made up of five cluster areas – Copper Coast, Blackwater Valley, Comeraghs, Gaeltacht na nDéise, and Waterford Estuary. The theme of the event ‘Connecting Waterford’ served to showcase each geographical area of the network and highlight what each one has to offer. There were also representatives from the Dungarvan, Tramore and City Tourist Information Centres.

Industry updates and insights were firstly delivered by Sean Dobbs, Acting Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council, followed by an update by Mary Houlihan, Manager for Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, on the importance of networking and promoting Waterford’s rich tourism offering to visitors before and during their trips to the city and county.

“Waterford has a unique opportunity to become one of Ireland’s leading outdoor tourism destinations. With its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, the county is ideally positioned to develop compelling rural tourism experiences that will appeal to both domestic and international visitors,” according to Mary Houlihan.

“This ambition aligns strongly with the objectives outlined in the recently launched Waterford Destination and Experience Development Plan. Working collaboratively across industry, communities and stakeholders is key to unlocking this potential and strengthening Waterford’s position as a key destination in Ireland’s Ancient East,” she added.

Pictured outside Dooley’s Hotel in Waterford City before the start of the Waterford Rural Tourism Network Showcase (l-r): Mary Houlihan, Fáilte Ireland, Julie O’Brien, Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions, and Sean Dobbs, Waterford City and County Council.

The Fáilte Ireland manager also noted that the level of engagement from attendees was encouraging. She highlighted the vital role that frontline staff play in increasing visitor dwell time, emphasising they are often the first point of contact for visitors and therefore well placed to showcase the wide variety of experiences Waterford has to offer.

Julie O’Brien of Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions remarked that it was one of the “most impactful networking events” she has attended. “When I am in Waterford, I’m always struck by how each community welcomes you into their corner of the county with such warmth and excitement.

“To have heard from the businesses at the event, the desire to work as a collective is shining through. I look forward to seeing how the new relationships and collaborations formed will manifest in 2026.”

Sean Dobbs, Acting Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council added, “Events like these are crucial for the success of Waterford. We are all working together to make Waterford the best place to live, work, visit and invest so to have this many businesses gathered in one room to strengthen and reinforce our exceptional offering is extraordinary.

“The work showcased here is the reason Waterford is a premier visitor destination. I hope all the attendees are now inspired and armed with information to assist in promoting Waterford as the world class destination it is.”