Carrickfergus Enterprise - 8 Meadowbank Road

I really benefitted from the Tourism Academy organised by Carrickfergus Enterprise. I particularly enjoyed the Ulster Scots History course and the Storytelling Session with Liz Weir. These are two areas I am passionate about and I felt I learnt a lot on the day, and it was very rewarding to be able to broaden my skills and what I can offer as a Tourist Guide/Storyteller. I also really enjoyed the visit to Gracehill and learning about the Moravian community and traditions. Communication was excellent and clear with several email and Whatsapp updates for each session and it was good to have the opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and network.

From day one it was obvious that Kelli and the team were invested in the Tourism Academy hosted by Carrickfergus Enterprise. They were very accommodating and nothing was too much trouble and all my questions or concerns were answered. This gave me confidence that I was participating in a process that was professional and from which I would have the opportunity to enhance my skills and gain qualifications. I learned so much about different aspects of the tourism industry, especially from the world host programme which I found of particular interest. Learning the practical skills of food safety and first aid meant I had more confidence in everyday life as well as being of use in business. I also gained enough confidence to consider going self employed as a tour guide and hope to explore this further with the Go Succeed programs. The hospitality and venues were of a high standard too. A big thank you to Kelli, Melissa and the team for providing a safe learning environment and for being so patient and accommodating!

I enjoyed the Tourism Academy hosted by Carrickfergus Enterprise and found all of it interesting and informative and expertly delivered. Pre event communication and organisation was excellent. There was a wide range of topics covered which were personally very beneficial to me and added to my knowledge. The supportive environment created by Kelli and her team provided a safe space to develop personal confidence and the sharing of experiences from the relevant tutor and the other delegates emphasised the learning points. I personally have gained significantly from attending the Academy and am now progressing self-employment as a tour guide as a direct result of attending.

Wonderful community; always welcoming and a brilliant place to network and learn 😊😊 I have particularly enjoyed the Hospitality Programme that Carrickfergus Enterprise has run. While everything was useful, fun, and valuable, I think the best aspect for me was the opportunity to learn new things, meet a range of people from across hospitality, and make new friends. I have learned from others and now have a much better idea of how to avoid common pitfalls by listening to the experiences of people who have been involved in hospitality for a long time. I enjoyed the opportunity to share experiences and ideas, and to gain recognised qualifications. Participants were considered when planning events. We were all given plenty of notice for dates and times. Reminders were sent in a timely manner, and everything was clearly communicated via email and text. I have now taken over the management, marketing, and booking of our holiday let. Bookings are up for this year, and feedback is all very positive. This experience has given me the confidence to try new ideas to further increase revenue.

I enjoyed the sessions offered on the Hospitality Taster Programme. The organisation and selection of focus areas were both excellent. The course encouraged me to "get out there" and talk about my business and my vision more. Each one of the classes brought a different insight and a different kind of knowledge and skills, which all together resulted in a well-rounded course, full of tangible and actionable takeaways. I loved the people...Kelli and her team at Carrickfergus Enterprise, the very knowledgeable and personable course instructors, the supportive course participants and the welcoming industry professionals. I was able to gain certification in areas that are directly related to and will boost my business and my personal essential skills. Furthermore, I really appreciated the opportunities to network and build valuable relationships with my fellow course members and to gain insight into real Hospitality & Tourism businesses. I have now had more bookings and inquiries so it was a wonderful experience all round.