The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The chairperson of the Clare Tourism Forum has attributed Loop Head’s success in winning the Best Place to Holiday in Ireland accolade to the collaborative approach adopted by the local communities in Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Cross and Kilbaha towards developing the peninsula’s tourism product.
The chairperson of the Clare Tourism Forum has attributed Loop Head’s success in winning the Best Place to Holiday in Ireland accolade to the collaborative approach adopted by the local communities in Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Cross and Kilbaha towards developing the peninsula’s tourism product.
Donnagh Gregson suggested Loop Head’s growing reputation as a visitor destination has evolved as a result of “a community-led approach” to marketing the region and its wide variety of tourist attractions and activities. “The Loop Head Peninsula is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community sets out a vision for developing its tourism offering while at the same time avails of the support of key agencies such as Clare County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Clare Local Development Company,” she stated.
Ms Gregson said the Irish Times’ naming of Loop Head as Ireland’s premier holiday destination, ahead of many established locations throughout the country, should inspire other communities in the county to explore how they can further enhance their own tourism product offering.
“The development and promotion of lesser-known attractions is often overlooked, even though they hold the key to revitalising rural communities and contributing to the sustained growth of the Clare tourism sector.
“Clare boasts some of the world’s most famous heritage sites and tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle, Cragganowen, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the county has a much wider offering, with some of Ireland’s most unique and breathtaking scenery,” Ms Gregson said.
“There is an emerging trend that domestic and international tourists alike are looking to visit these locations and experience a truly organic and authentic holiday and this is something that the Clare Tourism Forum is keen to promote locally, nationally and internationally.
“We look forward to continuing to include the Loop Head Peninsula in our promotional campaigns and ensuring that tour operators, in particular, are made aware of its unique tourism offering,” the forum chairperson concluded.
Meanwhile, Deputy Joe Carey has written to Shannon Airport Authority and Minister Michael Ring in an effort to capitalise on the award-winning achievement. “I have been in contact with the new Shannon Airport Authority and Loop Head Tourism with a view to ensuring there is greater co-operation and interaction between the airport and the West Clare area.
“Fáilte Ireland needs to ensure there is a robust marketing and promotional strategy targeted at the domestic tourism market.
“We need to see leading international travel writers invited to the area and an increase in the advertising of the region in key overseas publications,” Deputy Carey said.
