'It’s been an absolute privilege to promote Donegal and the northwest'

One of Donegal’s most committed and familiar faces in the tourism profession has retired from her national role. 

Martina Kerr Bromley worked for Failte Ireland as head of Enterprise development and was previously CEO of Northwest Tourism for over 20 years. 

“It’s been an absolute privilege to work for Irish Tourism and particularly having the opportunity to promote Donegal and the northwest,” Martina said. “My career in tourism has given me so many wonderful opportunities and experiences, I have met so many interesting and committed tourism businesses at home and abroad promoting best-in-class experiences that can compete on any international stage and have had the opportunity to meet so many supporters of Ireland particularly the Irish American community in Boston and New York.”

Earlier roles while only in her twenties saw the Bundoran native travel extensively across the UK, US, Canada and the Caribbean in her role as business development manager for Belleek Pottery and Tyrone Crystal living in New York and Boston. 

Slots on QVC TV, radio stations Adrian Flannelly show in New York, WBZ in Boston were all a testament to the energy and professionalism Martina gave to every role she worked in.

Among the many events Martina addressed and people she met through her work, some stood out, Tipp O’Neill,  Senator Edward Kennedy, John Kennedy, President Bill Clinton, Celtic’s Larry Bird, famous Film composer John Williams, Don Henley of the Eagles, Congressmen Donnelly and Morris 

“Our life in the States was just a great experience from beginning to end and we remain very grateful for the opportunities we got there,” Martina added.

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Returning home in the late 1990’s to open a business, it was wonderful after 10 years to be back home and have quality time with friends and family, but the travelling and marketing roles and hard work continued working as Business Development Manager with McEniff Hotel group to then securing a role with North West Tourism

There, she rose through the ranks to take on the regional CEO role and during this time delivered a number of successful cross-border programs, contributed to the launch of the Wild Atlantic Way and the very successful Gathering events across the region. 

It wasn’t long before a national role with Failte Ireland was on the cards and taking on the head of international sales and then head of enterprise development meant that Martina was able to bring her skills and expertise to businesses not only in Donegal and the northwest but also nationally. 

The last role Martina held with Failte Ireland - for over 10 years - was the role she felt made the biggest impact. Supporting and helping tourism businesses through good times and bad including, the banking crisis, Brexit, the pandemic and recently escalating operational costs has ensured that the operational programs and financial measures and support that were on offer to all tourism businesses were an enormous benefit to struggling businesses and these measures and supports were designed, created and implemented by Martina and her team in enterprise development. 

Of her retirement, Martina says she feels “blessed to have had the many wonderful opportunities provided over the last 40 years, but time now to take the foot of the work pedal and start doing some of the things and interests that a life on the road just didn’t allow.”

Some sea swimming, travelling and a little music choir in there and spending time with family and friends, her husband Pauric, two daughters Aoife and Tara and grandson Fionn are now most definitely on the cards.