Faulkner appointed as chair of Clare Forum

BARBARA Faulkner of the Aillwee Cave has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Clare Tourism Forum.

Ms Faulkner replaces Joe Russell, general manager at Doonbeg Golf Club, who has held the position for the past 12 months.
“I am looking forward to the year ahead and the many challenges that it will present. Since its establishment in 2005, Clare Tourism Forum has been very active in promoting County Clare both at home and abroad and all that hard work and dedication is starting to show. However, we need to continue promoting the message that when it comes to choosing a destination for a holiday or short break, Clare has it all,” the incoming chairperson said. 
“What I would like to see for the coming year and for the future is more networking and coming together of all of the tourism providers within the county. Collaboration is key to moving forward. Tourism is very important to Clare, with huge potential for growth but we all need to take responsibility for it and to ensure that everyone visiting the county has a memorable experience,” she added.
The Clare Tourism Forum was established in 2005 to provide a collaborative approach to tourism promotion in County Clare. Forum members developed and hosted a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the local tourism sector during 2011. Among the highlights were the gala Clare Tourism Networking event, which attracted over 200 Clare tourism providers in May and the second annual Clare Ultimate Golf Challenge in which 400 golfers participated. During March and April, tourism operators throughout the county took part in educational tours of Clare. The event was designed to encourage cross-promotion and networking among forum members and the wider business community. Meanwhile, the forum held a successful London to Clare event in London during November.