I’m Siobhán Burke and I established Wordhoard in 2010 when I began working with West Cork communities on their tourism strategies
My background is in Higher Education – my Ph.D. focused on 20th-century Irish writing – and I worked for 10 years as a lecturer in Higher Education.
I lectured at Trinity College, Dublin, Staffordshire University, and other HE institutions before moving to West Cork, where I have strong family connections, in 2008.
In HE, I was involved in a range of projects and initiatives focused on widening participation, and I found the skills I had developed in that sphere were useful to businesses and communities that were looking to rise to the challenges of modern tourism. Much of my work has been focused on helping small businesses and communities make the most of the opportunities created by tourism brands like the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.
Developing Sustainable Tourism
Responsible tourism development involves a capacity for strategic thinking and a realistic assessment of the opportunities and threats tourism can pose to communities and the environment.
It draws on grassroots insights, and its strategies need to be owned and acted on by communities themselves. It requires creative thinking and an ability to engage with the world from the visitor’s point of view.
Today, I offer tourism consultancy services to a range of tourism businesses and organisations across Ireland, helping them to develop coherent and attractive strategies for growth. And I keep editing international relations work, not least because it is one way to travel the world…
Recent Speaking/Training Workshop Engagements
- Craft Visitor Experience Development Workshop (Cavan, November 2019)
- “Ways to Maximise Tourism Around Norman Heritage Sites” (Wexford, March 2019)
- “Sustaining Tourism Through Experience Development” (Máire Ní Síthigh Autumn School, Courtmacsherry, October 2018)
- “Developing Craft Tourism – Global & Local Perspectives” (Laois, October 2018)
Siobhán works at lightning pace and her enthusiasm is matched by her excellent knowledge of the Irish tourism industry and offer. She brings creativity, passion and unmatched editorial skills to all her projects. Whether you are writing grant proposals, interpretation or devising regional brand offers Siobhán will hone and develop your work to perfection. she is also a pleasure to work with and her infectious enthusiasm for product development builds confidence and engagement in your team.
Brenda Comerford (Irish Heritage Trust, Johnstown Castle)