The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue this afternoon launched a careers roadshow organised by Fáilte Ireland which aims to promotes job and training opportunities in the tourism industry.
Go Places in Tourism will visit every region in the State over the next two months and features cookery demonstrations, video presentations and information sessions on careers in tourism.
Mr O'Donoghue described the roadshow as "an excellent model" of how linkages can be forged between "industry, educationalists and students in order to promote tourism as a first choice career".
He urged students attending the launch to consider a career in tourism: "I can confidently say that pursuing a recognised training course is a passport to a very good job in our vibrant tourism industry," said the Minister.
The roadshow is a key element in Fáilte Ireland's campaign, in conjunction with the Irish Hotels Federation and also the Restaurants Association, to promote careers in the hospitality and tourism industry to up to twelve thousand school-leavers.
Fáilte Ireland Chief Executive, Shaun Quinn, said that the roadshow had proved highly effective at raising awareness amongst students and career guidance professionals of the range of training and career opportunities available in the tourism industry: