Collaborating for success

Key steps to collaboration with other businesses include:

• Build Awareness & Network – it is essential other tourism businesses know what you offer and the quality of the experience you provide. Likewise, it is important you are aware of others. It is important to put the effort into building connections through relevant networking events, one-to-one engagement, offering FAM trips and social media channels such as LinkedIn.
• Informal or Formal - clarity is important in business relationships – these may be informal such as walking tour bringing groups into a local produce retailer or more formal such as a contractual relationship between a guide and a transport operator.
• Cross – Promote – All businesses can support each other by collaborating and promoting each other’s offerings both within and outside the destination. A joint approach can ensure all marketing activity is amplified to a much higher level resulting in better reach and consumer engagement. This will be economically beneficial to all.

Snapshot Case Study: Erne Water Taxis – The Lakelander Food Experience

In 2021, Erne Water Taxis launched the ‘Island Discovery’, the new 12 seater all-electric boat, which is the first of its type on the island of Ireland.

More than a boat, the Island Discovery is essentially an electric floating venue providing opportunities to showcase the best of Lough Erne through Whiskey and Blues cruises, island town tours with local historians, and Gin and Jazz nights.  The new boat has also been the catalyst for a partnership with Enniskillen Taste Experience. the two businesses have joined forces to provide ‘The Lakelander Food Experience’ a unique food tour of Enniskillen on land and water. The experience combines the history, beauty and significance of the Erne Waterway with a food and drink tasting menu with produce from the Fermanagh Lakelands.

Find out more about Erne Water Taxi’s approach to collaboration at Best Practices for Activity Provider Growth | Tourism NI.