Thursday, 21 st October 2004

GET A LIFE … IN A VIBRANT INDUSTRY!

Get a life…in Tourism 2004-2005 , a free magazine aimed at encouraging second-level students to consider a career in the tourism industry, was launched today by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue TD. Produced by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and Fáilte Ireland, the magazine highlights the wide variety of career opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality sectors. It aims to communicate to second level students the benefits of pursuing a career in one of Ireland’s most successful industries, which generates over €5 billion in tourism revenue annually, employs over 150,000 people, and caters for over six million overseas visitors to Ireland annually.

The 95-page Get a life…in Tourism magazine is available to students through Career Guidance teachers in second-level schools nationwide. The magazine contains comprehensive information on all of the various careers available in the sector including chefs, accommodation assistants, receptionists, as well as marketing, personnel, finance, IT, and leisure centre positions.

Using ‘Day in the Life’ interviews with young people working in the industry, and profiles of third level students, the magazine gives students a realistic picture of what they can expect from a career in the tourism and hospitality sector. Also included in the magazine is a 14-page guide to all tourism and hospitality courses, colleges and locations throughout Ireland.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue TD, stated that: “Get a life…in Tourism magazine is an excellent initiative to demonstrate to second level students the rewarding careers available to them in the tourism industry. With figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing an increase of 5.4% in the number of visitors to Ireland in the first 6 months of 2004 compared with the same period last year, and with the Tourism Policy Review Group targeting an increase of four million visitors over the next eight years - from six million at present to 10 million in 2012 - the demand for substantial numbers of highly skilled workers for the tourism industry is likely to continue well into the future. I am confident that this publication will prove to be a valuable resource for the many students who are interested in a fulfilling career in this vibrant industry.”

Richard Bourke, President, IHF commented that: “Tourism remains Ireland’s second largest industry contributing over €5 billion to our national economy every year. T hose who work in the industry are at the front line in maintaining the strong growth and progress achieved to date in the sector. Young people who commit themselves to the industry today, can look forward to a satisfying and rewarding career in a sector that plays an integral part in our national economy.”

“There are over 400 specialist courses available at third-level institutions throughout the country for students interested in pursuing recognised qualifications for entry to the industry. The success of Ireland’s tourism industry depends on our ability to make visitors feel welcome and we want to attract young, enthusiastic people who aspire to having an interesting, people focused career. It is a thriving young industry where the vast majority of management positions are held by people in their 20’s – an industry that offers swift promotional opportunities,” Mr. Bourke states.

Kevin Moriarty, Head of Division, Professional Development, Fáilte Ireland stated that: "Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Career Guidance Counsellors and the National Tourism Bodies is delighted to support the publication of this Get a life...in Tourism magazine. Fáilte Ireland has developed a wide range of education and training programmes leading to National Awards at Certificate and Degree levels. These programmes lead to attractive career paths in a wide variety of roles within the expanding Hotel, Catering and Tourism sectors.”

Get a life…in Tourism is published by Hotel & Catering Review and is freely available from career guidance teachers in all second-level schools nationwide.

It is also available from:

• Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6, Tel: (01) 497 6459
• Fáilte Ireland, Amiens Street, Dublin 1, Tel: (01) 855 6555 / 1850 256 256

For information contact:
Niamh Boylan/Siobhan Molloy Tel: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick | FCC Mobile: 086 3809191 / 086 8175066