Tourism professionals with fulfilling careers
Klara Vrlika, Front of House Manager, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, Co Cork.
Ireland’s tourism industry has enjoyed a healthy return to business following a choppy period of transition.
Through resilience and hard work, Irish attractions, activities, accommodation providers and other diverse companies have continued to develop, now offering unrivalled experiences to eager visitors from every corner of the globe — firmly securing Ireland as one of the most desirable destinations on the planet.
In this new landscape, tourism businesses have adapted not only their product, but have also become fiercely competitive employers who offer flexible and exciting career paths with unparalleled potential to climb the ladder.
Careers in tourism have become a platform for success for those passionate about people and creating unforgettable experiences — whether that’s in a front facing role as well as marketing, sales, HR and countless other disciplines.
No day is ever the same in tourism and this has proved very alluring to many who had spent time building their career in other industries before finding a career that works for them.
We spoke to some of today’s thriving tourism professionals to find out why tourism has allowed them to fulfil their career potential.
Winner of the Irish Hotel Federation National Employee of the Year 2022 award, Klara is now Front of House Manager at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa in Co Cork, with aspirations to become a general manager and group revenue manager as she progresses through her career. While she may have finally found her true passion, Klara’s dreams didn’t always lie in tourism.
“I studied to be a vet, but that didn’t work out, so worked in restaurants and bars in Croatia [where Klara was born]. My partner and I had a holiday in Ireland and liked is so much we booked one-way tickets in 2019. I started out as a receptionist at Inchydoney, got the hand of it and found it fun. By June of 2021 I had become head receptionist and I started my first duty management shifts that September.
“If you put it all together [given Covid lockdowns] I have just over two full years’ experience, but have progressed really quickly. Now I feel this career is set in stone for the rest of my life.”
Liam Regan took the decision to follow his passion for birds of prey and make it a successful business, despite having a much different career path laid out for him. His leap of faith also inspired his father who moved from teaching to tourism after retirement.
“If you’d asked me ten years ago what career I would pursue, I would never have guessed it would be this. When I graduated [Wildlife Biology at MTU Tralee) there were not as many career opportunities as there are now in environmental sciences.
“I started Falconry Kerry in 2018 and before that it was just a hobby. I’ve always loved working with animals and birds of prey, so getting to fly incredibly beautiful birds every day and teach people who have never met one before is amazing.
“My father has always been interested in beekeeping and he recently retired from teaching and started doing beekeeping tours. Turning this into my career was a great choice — it’s just something that I love doing.”
After a long career in Arts and Culture, Valerie returned to study to do a Masters in Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2018 at what is now TUD and started a concierge role at InterContinental Dublin. Three years later she was promoted to Head Concierge.
“My time at the National Gallery of Ireland [25 years] was very full and exciting. But I always had ambitions to move into hospitality to learn more about it. It’s in my blood; my mother was a hotel manager in Cork and Dublin and my father worked in a restaurant.
“I love the variety involved and working closely with all departments in the hotel. The fact that it’s not a 9-5 job is a positive for me: my hours change every week depending on the levels of business we have. The hotel managers are very supportive in accommodating me to take time off when I need. I find it very flexible.
“Every day I learn something new. My communications and public relations skills have helped me to build up good relationships with tour guides, restaurants, and other attractions.”
After 20 years in banking, in 2010 Fred Malzard heard the loud call of his family pub in Stoneyford pulling him into the tourism industry. He went on to create a unique tourism experience that showcases the best of Irish hospitality, and hurling.
“I love the banter and telling visitors the stories and history of the pub and the village. I’m so proud to be able to give people a truly authentic, traditional Irish experience. It means a lot to American visitors in particular to press the flesh with the owner and have good craic with the family.” “I don’t consider this a job because I love it so much and have fun every day meeting different people.”
Tourism is one of Ireland’s most important industries, employing passionate people across the regions and bolstering local communities everywhere. The business diversity within tourism ensures that there is a role to suit every skillset, with many building up their professional skills before enjoying exciting careers in tourism later.
At tourismcareers.ie you can discover more about the huge variety of jobs and careers that help make Ireland’s tourism offering one of the best on the planet, with multiple entry points. Fortunately, Ireland also boasts some of the best education options for those hoping to advance their studies to progress in tourism whether it’s a culinary apprenticeship, degree in International Tourism Management or an MA in Regenerative Tourism, the courses section on tourismcareers.ie is a great place to find out more.
Break away from the ordinary with a career in tourism.
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