Call for Fáilte Ireland to promote Lough Derg

THE marketing of Lough Derg and tourism in the Mid-West could be transferred from Shannon
Development to Fáilte Ireland, if the Government supports a new proposal from Deputy Michael McNamara.
Deputy McNamara believes Fáilte Ireland should market tourism in all of the country, including the Mid-West, as Shannon Development does not have an adequate budget to carry out this function properly.
Acknowledging that Shannon Development has been involved in a number of good tourism products in the Mid-West, Deputy McNamara explained it is very hard for the agency to properly market the region without having adequate funding. 
If the radical overhaul takes place, he claimed it would give the company an opportunity to concentrate on its asset management and job creation in the region.
He said Kerry and Galway seem to be very well marketed by Fáilte Ireland but claimed there doesn’t seem to be much effort to market the Sliabh Aughty.
He also hopes to organise a meeting of all the interested stakeholders involved in tourism in the Mid-West in early September to discuss the issue of marketing.
“I don’t mind who markets tourism in the Mid-West and Lough Derg, as long as it is done properly, which isn’t happening at present. The last thing we need is a battle between two agencies about who markets tourism in the Mid-West.
“The reality is there may be economies of scale if Fáilte Ireland market the entire country. If there are reasons to the contrary, I would like to hear them. There is a need for all interested parties to come together to discuss the issue of who is marketing the region and how it is being done.
“I welcome the celebration of Lughnasa in Craggaunowen by Shannon Development last weekend and would like to see a lot more of these type of events. I believe developing links with the Irish Academy of Music and Dance in the Clare campus of UL would help Shannon Development to reinvent some of its tourism products,” he said.
Minister of State, Deputy Alan Kelly, said he shared his party collleague’s concern about tourism promotion. He said the issue is being examined by the Minister for Public Affairs Brendan Howlin to see if there is any unnecessary duplication.
A spokesperson for Shannon Development said there is a full marketing development programme for Lough Derg and the East Clare area, which includes direct consumer marketing in addition to the development of activity and sports tourism around the greater Lough Derg area.
“Shannon Development is deeply involved in the Lakelands initiative, which includes Lough Derg as a key element of the programme, and is a major national and international marketing initiative led by Shannon Development, Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, local authorities and trades.
“The celebration of Lughnasa in Craggaunowen last weekend, aired live by RTÉ on national TV and currently available on RTÉ Player, is another example of innovative marketing taking place within the Lough Derg/East Clare district.  Shannon Development is partnering with both the regional trade and its sister agencies to ensure all marketing and promotion of the region and indeed Lough Derg, is taking place effectively and efficiently,” added the company spokeswoman.