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Employer Excellence Programme

Elevate your tourism business and join other successful tourism businesses attracting top talent. The Employer Excellence Programme provides you with the tools and certification mark that proves your business is rewarding workplace that can attract and retain the skills you need to be competitive.

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Application statusOpen
Key informationOpen all year to interested businesses
CommitmentTwo years. Employee surveys and action planning
Value of support€7,370 over two years
State aidApplicableWhat is this?
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Is the Employer Excellence Programme right for you?

Before you apply, check that your business meets these requirements:

  • You run a tourism business in IrelandYour business provides a tourism experience or product for domestic or international visitors.
  • You have at least five employeesThe programme is designed for businesses with an existing team. Your employees will take part in a survey and help identify workplace improvements.
  • You can commit to the two-year programmeThe programme includes employee surveys, action-planning sessions, and regular check-ins with your Fáilte Ireland-approved HR mentor.
Review guidelines(Opens in new window)

What the programme asks of you

Support your people

Employer Excellence is a two-year programme built around employee feedback, workplace improvements and long-term team development.

Commit to improvement

You will need time, leadership support and a willingness to act on employee feedback throughout the programme.

What you get from the programme

Strengthen your workplace, attract and retain great people, and earn recognition that sets your business apart. Get access to our Fundamentals of People and Performance Management Course on learniFI and invited to annual Employer Excellence Awards and EEP Exchange Conference.  

View programme journey

The Employer Excellence mark is recognised across the tourism sector. It tells job seekers, staff, and the market that your business is committed to creating a positive workplace and investing in its people.

You will gain access to proven best practices, industry insights, and learning from leading employers. By creating a better employee experience, businesses can improve staff retention, reduce turnover costs, and build a more engaged workforce that delivers stronger business performance and visitor experience.


The certification mark works as a recruitment signal. Businesses that display it attract more and better applicants.

Your Fáilte Ireland-approved HR and workforce development expert works with you from day one. The support is tailored to where your business is now and how you want to develop and progress, not a generic programme.

Employee surveys give you structured, anonymous insight. You find out what is working and what is not, straight from the people who work there. The findings help shape a targeted action plan focused on the areas that matter most to your people and your business.

View programme journey

Meet the people growing through Employer Excellence

Read stories from people building careers with recognised tourism employers.

Explore the specific requirements and journey milestones of the Employer Excellence programme.

  • Eligibility and guidelines

    Understand eligibility, commitment, and what to prepare before applying to the Employer Excellence programme.

  • Programme journey

    See what the Employer Excellence Programme looks like from application to certification.

  • Help and resources

    Find answers, download programme guidance, and access key Employer Excellence resources.