Ennistymon, County Clare, IRELAND, Oct 26th 2006 – An all-island Tourism Conference titled ‘Promoting Co-operative Tourism Marketing’ will take place at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, County Clare from Nov 23rd-25th 2006. The Clare Tourist Council – in conjunction with Clare County Council – has organised the 18th annual Conference for tourism industry officials and members of Local Authorities, County Enterprise Boards, partnerships, and all public and private bodies involved in the promotion of tourism. Delegates from all over the island of Ireland are scheduled to attend the event.
Junior Minister Síle De Valera will officially open the Conference in what will be one of the Clare T.D.’s final official engagements before she steps down as Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science on December 8th. Among those addressing the Conference will be Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Marketing, Paul Keeley who will discuss the role played co-operative marketing in the future development of Irish tourism. Katherine Webster, Director, of the Cliffs of Moher New Visitor Experience will speak about ‘Marketing Change’ drawing on strategies used to promote the EUR 31.5 million Cliffs of Moher visitor project in north Clare, due be completed in early 2007. The Conference will also be addressed by Eamonn O Neachtain, Bainisteoir Réigiúnach, An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí who will brief delegates on ‘Cultural Tourism in the Gaeltacht’.
Other speakers include Tim Caffrey, County Manager, Longford County Council (Co-operative Tourism Marketing – Local Authorities Role); Paddy Maher, Development and Marketing Manager, Atlantis Holiday Group (County Based Co-Operative Tourism Marketing); Tommy Fegen, Director of the North South Consortium; and Pat Breen T.D., Deputy Spokesperson on Enterprise Trade and Employment, Fine Gael. The Conference sessions will be chaired by Alderman PJ McAvoy of Ballymena Borough Council, Councillor Ann Marie Logue of Antrim Borough Council and Alderman Daniel O’Connor who is Mayor of Larne Borough Council. Chairman of the conference, meanwhile, will be Mayor of Clare Councillor Flan Garvey who is also the Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee.
The Clare Tourist Council hosted its first national tourism conference, titled ‘The Tourism Explosion – Implications for Ireland‘, in 1989. Subsequent conferences have addressed a wide range of tourism issues like ‘Tourism for the ’90s‘, ‘Tourism & the Environment’, ‘Let Tourism work for You‘, ‘Keeping up with Changing Times‘, ‘The Role Played by Local Authorities in Tourism’ and ‘Positioning Tourism – Quality or Price’.
According to Kathleen Cahill, Conference Secretary, “The Clare Tourist Council is proud to have been associated with the Tourism Conference for so many years. Along with our co-organisers Clare County Council, we have witnessed some dramatic changes within the tourism sector over the past 18 years. Now, more than ever before, a strong and co-operative approach to marketing tourism is necessary to sustaining growth in the tourism sector. Since 1989, the sector has become more turbulent and increasingly price-conscious. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all individuals and organisations involved in tourism to get involved in the promotion of the entire sector all over the island of Ireland.”
Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services, Planning and Economic Development, Clare County Council added, “Local Authorities all over Ireland are playing an increasing role in the planning, development, management and promotion of tourism. They are involved in providing such tourism-linked services as the arts, festivals, urban and village renewal schemes, litter management, signage, access and special tourism initiatives like the ‘Pride of Place Awards’. Local authorities must continue to remain aware of the economic, environmental and cultural benefits that tourism can bring.”
For further information on the Conference contact Kathleen Cahill, Conference Secretary on 00353-657071149 or cahilka@indigo.ie.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
- Interviews and photograph opportunities can be arranged by contacting Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on (mobile) 086-8534900 or (email) media@dunphypr.com. Tabhair faoi deara gur féidir agallaimh trí Ghaeilge a eagrú. Accommodation can be organised for any members of the media wishing to attend the event.
Directions to Falls Hotel Spa Resort from Galway – Take the N18 Going South. At Kilcolgan, approximately 15kms from Galway turn right and follow signs to Ennistymon (Approximately 40kms). Once in Ennistymon, take the first turn right. Directions to Falls Hotel Spa Resort from Limerick/Shannon Airport – Take the N18 North to Ennis. In Ennis, take the first exit off the main Limerick/Galway round a bout (N85), heading for Lahinch. After approximately 20kms, you will arrive into Ennistymon; take the second left for the Falls Hotel.
