Mark Henry is the author of ‘In Fact: An Optimist’s Guide to Ireland at 100’ – a fascinating overview of the positive progress that Ireland has made in our first century as an independent nation. In his day job, Mark is the Central Marketing Director at Tourism Ireland and is responsible for the promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourism destination overseas.
Q 1- How does your normal day begin?
I’m beginning to forget what “normal” is! Since we switched to home working, my day starts with a virtual check-in with my management team which is akin to “sticking our heads around the door” and keeping the informal communications flowing.
Q 2- What are your biggest daily challenges?
Managing through all the stops/starts we’ve had with the restoration of international travel. Connecting with my full team now we don’t see each other regularly in the office. And connecting with the tourism sector given face-to-face meetings haven’t been possible for so long.
Q3- What do you love most about your job?
It’s a privilege to promote the island of Ireland and to be able to directly help enterprises and communities to prosper throughout our island. I’m fortunate and proud to do so.
Q 4- What do you do to relax?
Write a book! Having spent two decades telling the world what a great country is, I wrote ‘In Fact’ to prove it’s true to the Irish.
Q 5-Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
Castle Leslie for an overnight get-away that perfectly combines a historic setting with modern comfort. Kilkenny city for an action-packed weekend break. Rural Galway for that week-away-from-it-all countryside retreat.
Q 6-Favourite holiday destination worldwide?
Stockholm is an amazing place for a city break, but the Amalfi Coast was our honeymoon destination and is hard to beat on any grounds.
Q 7-Favourite Business motto?
These strange times require us to maximise our “nimbility” – i.e. our ability to be nimble – but that’s a good strategy for future-proofing any business.
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs
Ireland’s future is in your hands. Nurture the factors that have contributed to our success and this will remain one of the very best places to live on planet Earth.
