The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Tourism Minister, Paschal Donohoe last night (Friday) presented a specially commissioned trophy to Shannon Airport for “Best International Access Initiative” at the first ever Irish Tourism Industry Awards.
This is an inaugural national scheme identifying those who are making major difference in the tourism industry.
Designed with the intention of rewarding innovation in tourism, significant initiatives at home and overseas and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience, the Irish Tourism Industry Awards ultimately identified Shannon Airport as a worthy winner from a very strong field of over 330 entries.
Since its independence in January 2013, Shannon Airport has delivered significant growth in air services and visitors to the West of Ireland, becoming the fastest growing airport in Ireland. It welcomed 3,200 additional scheduled flights in 2014, with 12 new routes, while visitors arriving on direct flights into Shannon generated over €286m in tourism spend from 2013-2014.
The awards were organised by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC), along with sponsorship from some of ITIC’s industry members, Fáilte Ireland, and Tourism Ireland.
Adjudication was carried out by an independent panel of experts chaired by Maurice Pratt, the chairman of the Uniphar Group.
