County Kerry in Ireland welcomed Atlantic partners for the final phase of the DIBEST (Digital Innovation for Blue Enterprises & Social Tourism) project, an international initiative supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme to promote tourism micro enterprises through digital innovation, collaboration and sustainable development.
Held from 20 to 24 April, activities took place across several locations in south-west Kerry, including Killarney, Cahersiveen, Valentia Island, Portmagee, Sneem and Kenmare. Designed to encourage collaboration and practical exchange, the week-long programme blended formal project sessions with immersive field visits, allowing participants to experience the region while contributing to shared learning and project outcomes.
One of the central elements of the event was the “Workshop on Wheels”, a two-day learning journey along the Ring of Kerry coastal route. Participants visited local tourism businesses, engaged with community stakeholders and took part in site visits, focus groups and peer-learning sessions focused on sustainable tourism development in coastal communities.
Throughout the event, partners and enterprises explored opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange across Atlantic regions. Discussions focused on strengthening sustainable and socially responsible tourism, while supporting innovation and resilience in blue economy destinations.
As Lead Partner, the Western Development Commission highlighted how the Irish event reflected DIBEST’s core mission of helping tourism micro-enterprises adopt digital tools and innovative practices to support long-term growth and competitiveness. Ian Brannigan of the Western Development Commission noted that the initiative helped coastal businesses grow sustainably, increased the international visibility of Atlantic coastal regions and strengthened enterprise development across western Ireland.
Held from 20 to 24 April, activities took place across several locations in south-west Kerry, including Killarney, Cahersiveen, Valentia Island, Portmagee, Sneem and Kenmare. Designed to encourage collaboration and practical exchange, the week-long programme blended formal project sessions with immersive field visits, allowing participants to experience the region while contributing to shared learning and project outcomes.
One of the central elements of the event was the “Workshop on Wheels”, a two-day learning journey along the Ring of Kerry coastal route. Participants visited local tourism businesses, engaged with community stakeholders and took part in site visits, focus groups and peer-learning sessions focused on sustainable tourism development in coastal communities.
Throughout the event, partners and enterprises explored opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange across Atlantic regions. Discussions focused on strengthening sustainable and socially responsible tourism, while supporting innovation and resilience in blue economy destinations.
As Lead Partner, the Western Development Commission highlighted how the Irish event reflected DIBEST’s core mission of helping tourism micro-enterprises adopt digital tools and innovative practices to support long-term growth and competitiveness. Ian Brannigan of the Western Development Commission noted that the initiative helped coastal businesses grow sustainably, increased the international visibility of Atlantic coastal regions and strengthened enterprise development across western Ireland.
The Irish programme was designed by Munster Technological University and delivered in partnership with the Western Development Commission and the RDI Hub in County Kerry, working closely with European partners to create a collaborative and practice-based learning experience. For Munster Technological University, the event represented an important opportunity to demonstrate how research and innovation can generate practical benefits for tourism enterprises, particularly in the areas of digital skills and business innovation.
Publish date: 2026-05-12
