The road we are on.‪.‬ FEARGAL BARTON

The live events sector has been one of the hardest hit during the Covis 19 pandemic . Paul is the MD of Avcom ,40 years in business it is one of the largest companies in Ireland working in its field. It produces end-to,end technical & Creative Solutions for Virtual,Hybrid and live events. The company has had to re-invent itself over the last 18 months to work completely virtually. Even though it has been a really difficult time Paul and his team have taken it in their stride, just recently working on The French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Dublin and are looking forward to a brighter future where live and virtual events will work hand in hand.

George and Ella speak to us about their roles in Fair city . George speaks about the arrival of his new son Kody Bloom . They speak about the difficult audition process that all actors face. Ella speaks about her blog "i am a teenager get me out of here" and the challenges that young people face every day with social media pressure. We chat about their current story line and getting back to work during the covid crisis . We speak about their favorite actors and what shows they are watching and what shows they would really like to star in! And we get to hear who they would like to invite over for a dinner date!

On Today's Podcast we talk to Ruth Andrews and Rob Rankin from The Irish Tour Operators Association . We discuss the new guidelines for international Travel. Continued funding for 2021/2022. The return of staff to tourism businesses and the challenges that lie ahead for these companies. Trying to attract international tourists back to our country. How access routes by air will be different and will take some period to recover. The loss of further cruise tourism to Dublin and Ireland from next year. How the tourism industry is ready to get back to work and recover over the next few years.

Remarkable story about 24 year old Jack O Sullivan who is the Founder of MODMO, A company that is producing Modular electric bikes from its base in Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam. Jack started to import bikes from China at the tender age of 17 and assemble them in his garage in Cabinteely. He decided then to make several solo trips to China to source new products which it lead him to Vietnam where he is now leading his company Modmo and hopes to become one of the most successful electric bike manufactures in the World. He has raised over 1 million euro from investor funding over the last 4 months to move his company to the next level in development and production.. He sees growth in electric bikes on a massive scale over the next 10 years worldwide and some of that growth will be in the bike tourism market. A really great listen to such an impressive young man and certainly one to watch for the future. Check out their web page www.modmo.io

The Cruise industry has become one of the most popular form of tourism over the last 20 years. I am joined on the Podcast by Niamh McCarthy MD of Excursions and Crystal Morgan Director at Princess Cruises to discuss the industry and the challenges it faces to get back to operating cruise holidays again. We talk about the worldwide industry, How important the cruise industry is to Ireland generating 50 million euro each year before covid. Issues with Dublin Port,an investment of nearly 1 million euro in Belfast port for cruise terminal , how Guides/Drivers/Retail/Attractions all benefit from Cruise calls. The need for Dept of Tourism and Failte Ireland/Tourism Ireland to put a cohesive strategy in place to attract theses ships and visitors to our shores. Vital for the Island of Ireland's tourism now more than ever as we face the long road to recovery.

Delighted today to be joined by Bruno Schmidt from Pro-Bus and Car and also from Optimum Chauffeur Drive we are joined by Mary McGrath and Sarah Higgins. We talk about the industry in General pre and post covid. The Important role that that this industry plays in the delivering a wonderful experience to visitors to Ireland. The different aspects of the industry (Business Clients/Leisure Tours/Transfers/Airline Transfers/Conferences/Concert Business). How they hope that Failte Ireland's upcoming funding will help many companies to survive and be in a position to get back to business when international travel returns. The arrival of electric cars to their industry and the fear that staff and drivers with such experience,professionalism and knowledge many not return to the industry