Hopes of tourism boost for North Clare

A RECENT visit by 85 international tourist industry workers could bring a major economic boost to North Clare in the coming year.

The representatives of French tour operator Allibert Trekking were in Doolin to celebrate the company’s 35 years in business and its 15th year coming to Doolin. According to Patrice Crama, who organised the trip, the visit could result in as many as 700 French tourists travelling to North Clare next year.
Allibert Trekking is a family-run business founded by a famous French mountain guide. It specialises in hill walking, trekking, skiing, mountain climbing and outdoor activity holidays. It began organising hill walking tours to Ireland in 1996 but the Emerald Isle is just one of its 450 destinations. The company works with 150 to 200 tour guides, bringing groups of French hikers, cyclists and climbers to island, desert and mountain locations across the world.
Allibert recently brought 85 people from their agencies across France to Ireland and Doolin garnered an exclusive spot on their four-day itinerary.
“Allibert Trekking sell their tours on the phone. Their agents across France give recommendations to people calling looking for ideas for trekking holidays. Allibert gets about 30,000 customers per year travelling from France to destinations like the Alps and the Himalayas. Ireland gets very few of these tourists. From the 30,000, maybe 500 or so come to Ireland. Ireland is a tiny destination for Allibert but it is still important because they decided to come here to celebrate their 35th year in business,” said Patrice.
Five years ago, the company brought its agents to Morocco to celebrate its 30th birthday. Their trip to Ireland to celebrate its 35th represents a massive coup for Patrice, who used to work as one of the company’s tour guides but who now owns his own business, Patrick Tours.
“When they decided to celebrate the 35th birthday, from all the countries they could have chosen, they picked Ireland, which means a lot to me because I left Allibert a few years ago and now Allibert decided to go through me and my company here. When they asked me to organise this event I was very proud and very happy because I knew that it would be great for Ireland and for tourism, especially in Doolin,” Patrice outlined.
As part of their four-day, three-night stay, the group spent two nights in Connemara, before finishing up in Doolin.
“I had to choose carefully where to take them but I wanted them to stay in Doolin because we have many groups that stay there and walk at the Cliffs of Moher and in the Burren and I have many friends that work in the area. The people of Doolin did a great job entertaining and feeding the 85 visitors,” he said.
For Patrice and the visiting French, it was the hospitality of the people of Doolin that set the place apart from its international counterparts.
“It is not easy to facilitate such a large group but the businesses in Doolin managed. We separated the group and rotated them around different pubs and restaurants. The people in Doolin, especially in the B&B run by the O’Connors, were brilliant. They organised decorations in the pubs and put up signs and drawings and balloons and that was unexpected but it was so nice and it really made all the people feel really welcome. That was so important.
“The group were not isolated in a restaurant, they were in the middle of everything. They enjoyed their stay. They got great weather and they were delighted and they all want to come back to Ireland,” Patrice stated.
Since the trip, Patrice has travelled back to France and spoken with many of the company’s agents. He is not surprised by the positive response and sees it as a good omen.
“I was welcomed back with open arms. They were really delighted with the trip. They were all in agreement that they had seen great countries around the world but there is something special about Ireland and they got it. There was really great feedback and I am sure this will make a big difference because all the company, bar one person, came on the trip,” he recalled.
“This will be a big boost for next year. I work with Allibert Trekking, Brittany Ferries and a company involved in cycling tours. To know that I have 85 fans of Ireland in such a big company that will boost the numbers coming here is great. Many of those who came over had not been to Ireland and said they would not have come to Ireland were it not for the fact the company’s celebrations were taking place here.
“You have to remember they can choose any of the company’s wide range of destinations to go to. Most would have chosen other countries but they came here and loved it. It was a great success and I am sure this will boost the tourist numbers next year,” he added.
According to Doolin-resident Patrice, the local people themselves could be responsible for a surge in the numbers of people coming from France to the area in the future.
“I am so grateful to the people of Doolin. They were so hospitable and that is what made them really stand out. Last year, we had about 500 French tourists come over with Allibert. Next year I am confident that could go up to 700,” he concluded.