County Clare, IRELAND, Friday 1st December 2006 – A EUR110,000 marketing campaign targeting tourist markets at home and abroad will be launched by the Clare Tourism Forum at a Gala Banquet in Dromoland Castle on Friday 12th January 2007. ‘Tourism Brand Clare’, which has been developed in association with Clare County Council, is the result of months of market research and follows on from the Forum’s successful Summer 2006 campaign to promote Clare to the local and national tourist market.
The Clare Tourism Forum was established earlier this year with the objective of mobilising a collaborative strategy to sustain and develop tourism within the county. It consists of a public/private organisation partnership and is representative of all the sectors of the Clare tourism industry. Its membership includes representatives of the principle agencies involved in tourism in partnership with representatives of the hotel, vintners and B+B sector as well as the main tourism attractions in the county.
“The ‘Tourism Brand Clare’ initiative marks the next phase of the Clare Tourism Forum’s marketing strategy”, stated Forum Chairperson Cllr. Richard Nagle.
He added, “We not only present the brand image to the industry and its stakeholders, but outline what we intend to do with the brand in what has become an increasingly competitive industry. A total commitment of EUR110,000 will be used to fund an integrated business development programme targeting Clare’s tourism numbers for 2007. Three separate campaigns for spring, summer and autumn will be launched. It is anticipated that each will be of direct and indirect benefit to the county’s tourist industry whilst also indirectly benefiting the wider business community.”
Cllr Nagle, who is also Chairman of Clare County Council’s Planning and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee, continued, “The Gala dinner will double up as a fundraiser to raise much needed finances to promote Clare throughout 2007. As an alternative to seeking funding from tourism operators, it is hoped that the Gala dinner will result in a total of EUR30,000 being raised on the night. Clare County Council will pledge EUR40,000 to the initiative while an additional EUR40,000 will be provided by Fáilte Ireland, subject to a successful application for funding.”
Commenting on the work of the Clare Tourism Forum to date, member Paul Madden of The Temple Gate Hotel said that the collaborative and effective strategic approach being adopted by the Clare Tourism Forum would contribute to the long-term development of the tourism sector in County Clare. “As one unit we can now begin to pool our resources into establishing County Clare as the preferred tourist destination. The Forum has worked hard to develop a brand concept and looks forward to its launch at the Gala Event in Dromoland Castle on January 12th next. We will also be availing of this event to outline our immediate marketing strategy for the coming year”, Mr. Madden said.
He added, “The Forum would encourage all beneficiaries of Clare’s growing tourism sector to attend the upcoming gala dinner. Everyone from retailers and financial institutions to accommodation and direct tourism providers can play their part in supporting the local sector by attending the event.”
Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Service, Economic Development and Planning, Clare County Council expressed confidence in the ‘Tourism Brand Clare’ initiative and praised the Clare Tourism Forum for its ongoing work in developing the sector in the county. “I would like to congratulate the Clare Tourism Forum for the recent upsurge in enquiries relating to the county. I am confident that these enquiries will contribute to a sustained increase in visitor numbers to Clare and will establish the county as a domestic and international tourist destination alike”, she concluded.
For more information on the Clare Tourism Forum Gala Banquet, please contact Kate Deegan of ‘Co-ordination Made Easy’ on 065-6848772 or info@co-me.net.
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