The 2026 Donegal Tourism Connect event will take place on 4th March in Jacksons Hotel, Ballybofey and will be hosted by Donegal County Council in association with Fáilte Ireland.
This event is a key event for any tourism business in Donegal to attend and Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Paul Canning believes that “this event should be on the calendar of all tourism businesses across Donegal as it is a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with each other and explore how to develop authentic Donegal experiences for visitors while also boosting sales through better cross collaboration”.
He is encouraging businesses to come prepared with business cards and notebooks as there will be a lot of value to be gained on March 4th.
The keynote speaker on the day will be renowned tourism thought leader, author and destination expert Doug Lansky. Doug has advised destinations around the world on how to innovate, attract visitors and build sustainable success and is bringing his insights to Donegal.
Keynote speaker Doug Lansky
Speaking about the upcoming event, Wild Atlantic Way Manager with Fáilte Ireland, Joan Crawford, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming tourism businesses from across Donegal to another exceptional gathering this coming March. Our aim is to foster meaningful opportunities for networking and collaboration among businesses operating within the county’s vibrant tourism sector. We strongly encourage those who have not previously participated to consider expressing their interest in attending, as this event represents a valuable occasion for both newcomers and returning participants to connect and share ideas that can help drive growth and innovation within our local tourism industry. We look forward to seeing a wide representation from the sector and to witnessing the fruitful exchanges that will help shape the future of tourism in the region.”
Last year's panel discussion with host Richard Curran.
MC for the day will be Donegal’s own Andrea Gilligan, best known as the host of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk and for her regular appearances on Ireland AM. She will guide attendees through a day of insights, connections and fresh opportunities.
Andrea Gilligan from Newstalk will MC the event
A number of tourism related exhibitors and agencies will also be on hand in the venue on the day.
Chief Executive of Donegal County Council and Chair of Donegal Tourism CLG John G McLaughlin added ‘this is the largest annual event of its kind in Donegal and attendees will have an opportunity to gain learnings and insights from Doug Lansky who will undoubtedly bring plenty of inspiration from his experience across the globe as a tourism consultant followed by a speed networking event where attendees can avail of one on one meetings with their peers.”
Admission is free but pre-registration is essential. If you have not already received an email from Fáilte Ireland or Donegal County Council, you may express your interest
HERE.
Ceangal Turasóireachta Dhún na nGall fógartha do Mhárta 2026
Beidh an ócáid Ceangal Turasóireachta Dhún na nGall don bhliain 2026 ar siúl in Óstán Jackson, Bealach Féich ar an 4 Márta agus is í Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall a bheas i mbun a óstála i gcomhpháirt le Fáilte Éireann.
Is ócáid fhíorthábhachtach í seo d’aon ghnólacht turasóireachta i nDún na nGall a bheith i láthair aici, agus creideann Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, an Clr. Paul Canning ‘gur chóir go mbeadh an ócáid seo ar an fhéilire ag gach gnólacht turasóireachta ar fud Dhún na nGall mar gur deis ar leith do ghnólachtaí í le ceangal lena chéile agus le féachaint ar na dóigheanna chun fíor-eispéiris iontaofa de Dhún na nGall a fhorbairt do chuairteoirí agus borradh a chur faoi dhíolacháin chomh maith trí chomhoibriú níos fearr a bhunú’.
Tá sé ag moladh do ghnólachtaí teacht chuig an ócáid agus iad ullmhaithe le cártaí gnó agus le leabhair nótaí mar go mbeidh go leor tairbhe le baint as an ócáid ar an 4 Márta.
Is é Doug Lansky, an barrsmaointeoir clúiteach turasóireachta, údar agus saineolaí ceann scríbe, a bheas mar aoichainteoir ar an lá. Tá comhairle tugtha ag Doug do chinn scríbe eile ar fud an domhain maidir leis an dóigh le bheith nuálach, cuairteoirí a mhealladh agus an rathúlacht inbhuanaithe a fhorbairt, agus tá sé ag tabhairt an léargais sin aige go Dún na nGall.
Agus í ag caint faoin ócáid atá ar na bacáin, dúirt Joan Crawford, Bainisteoir Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin de chuid Fháilte Éireann: ‘Tá muid uilig ag dúil go mór le fáilte a chur roimh ghnólachtaí turasóireachta ó cheantracha éagsúla ar fud Dhún na nGall a theacht chuig tionól iontach eile i mí an Mhárta seo chugainn. Is é an aidhm atá againn deiseanna fiúntacha a chothú le haghaidh líonrú agus comhoibriú idir gnólachtaí atá ag feidhmiú laistigh d’earnáil bhríomhar turasóireachta an chontae. Molaimid go láidir daofa siúd nár ghlac páirt san ócáid roimhe seo smaointiú ar spéis a léiriú ina bheith i láthair an iarraidh seo, mar go bhfuil an ócáid seo ina deis luachmhar do rannpháirtithe úra agus do rannpháirtithe a bhí ann roimhe, ceangal lena chéile agus smaointe a chomhroinnt ar dhóigh a gcuideoidh le fás agus nuálaíocht a chur chun cinn laistigh den tionscal turasóireachta áitiúil s’againn. Tá muid ag dúil le bualadh le daoine atá ionadaíoch go forleathan ar an earnáil agus le cur agus cúiteamh iontach fiúntach a bheith eadrainn chun cuidiú le todhchaí na turasóireachta a mhúnlú sa réigiún’.
Is í Andrea Gilligan as Dún na nGall a bheas ina Bean an Tí ar an lá, duine a bhfuil clú uirthi mar óstach ar Lunchtime Live ar Newstalk agus as a bheith i láthair go minic ar Ireland AM. Tabharfaidh sí na rannpháirtithe fríd lá iomlán de léargais, de cheangail agus de dheiseanna úrnua.
Beidh roinnt taispeántóirí agus áisíneachtaí turasóireachta ar fáil san ionad ar an lá chomh maith.
Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus Cathaoirleach Thurasóireacht Dhún na nGall, John G McLaughlin chomh maith: ‘is í seo an ócáid bhliantúil is mó dá cineál a bhíonn ar siúl i nDún na nGall agus beidh deis ag na rannpháirtithe léargais agus eolas bunaithe ar thaithí a fháil ó Doug Lansky, agus is cinnte go bhfaighidh siad neart inspioráide uaidh chomh maith mar gheall ar a thaithí ar fud an domhain mar chomhairleoir turasóireachta, agus beidh seisiún líonrú gasta ann ina dhiaidh nuair a bheas rannpháirtithe in ann cruinnithe duine-le-duine a dhéanamh lena gcuid piaraí’.
Níl aon táille isteach ach is gá clárú roimh ré. Mura bhfuair tú ríomhphost cheana féin ó Fháilte Éireann nó ó Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, thig leat do spéis a léiriú
ANSEO.
CRÍOCH