Loop Head group attend Brussels ceremony

The Kilkee-based Loop Head Tourism group was one of 25 tourist destinations from across Europe presented with the title of ‘2010 European Destination of Excellence in Aquatic Tourism’ at an awards ceremony in Brussels on Monday.

The European Destination of Excellence (EDEN) award recognises innovative approaches and the sustainable manner in which the national winners managed and promoted their tourism offer. EDEN’s aim is to enhance the visibility of emerging and less-known destinations in the EU. Moreover, the initiative spreads the message of sustainable practices in tourism, promotes under-visited locations and thereby helps to decongest over-visited destinations.
The West Clare group were represented in Brussels by Ann Haugh (Stella Maris Hotel) and John Williams (secretary, Loophead Tourism).
“These 25 splendid locations follow eco-friendly measures that constantly respect nature, with an eye to preserving the eco-systems for generations to follow.
“These mostly coastal, lake and riverside tourism destinations promote innovative approaches for their aquatic tourism, offered in such a way as not only to promote a more qualitative environment but also to cope with the seasonality problem and to rebalance the tourist flows towards non-traditional destinations,” Antonio Tajani, European Commission vice-president in charge of industry and entrepreneurship, commented at the ceremony.
The Loop Head Tourism group is a partnership of local organisations who are committed to providing a quality tourist experience while safeguarding the lifestyles and biodiversity that makes the peninsula a unique place to live and visit.
The committee consists of Kilkee business people Cillian Murphy (chairman), John Williams, Kilkee Chamber president Johnny Redmond and Kilkee-based architect Tom Byrne. The group received €5,000 for business development support initiatives following their win last May.