People asked to shop local

Clare people were advised to shop patriotically by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, when he spoke at the National Tourism Conference held in Ennistymon at the weekend.
Minister Varadkar was due to be the guest speaker at the conference banquet on Saturday night but instead, due to a scheduling conflict, addressed delegates earlier in the day.
Minister Varadkar suggested that shopping in Northern Ireland after the Budget was not the answer to the country’s or its citizens’ financial woes. He pointed out that for those considering travelling from Clare it was particularly uneconomical when the cost of travel, the exchange rate and man hours were taken into consideration.
The potential for economic growth in tourism was the subject of the 23rd conference, which is organised by Clare Tourist Council in conjunction with Clare County Council.
“We were delighted to have Minister Varadkar come to the conference because it has been a few years since we had a minister here. It also shows how this event is perceived,” said Inagh man Flan Garvey from Clare Tourist Council.
Peter Malone, chancellor and chairman of the Governing Authority of the University of Limerick and chairman of National Roads Authority, called for Shannon Airport to be given back to the people and for the creation of one brand for Ireland. Mr Malone, who is also director of CIE Tours International, told the conference that “prices are gone too high for our tourism product” and criticised existing standards in the Irish tourism industry, adding that training and friendliness need to return to the top of our agenda. Golf, surfing, the UK leisure market and the global diaspora could all be developed to generate higher tourist numbers, he continued.
The role of the local authorities in promoting tourism was examined at the conference by Martina Moloney, county manager of Galway County Council.
Ms Moloney pointed out that Galway attracts 70% of visitors and 71% of tourism revenue in the West of Ireland and highlighted examples of initiatives being implemented by Galway County Council to support tourism promotion. Ms Moloney particularly highlighted the need for appropriately managing and developing tourism products and stressed the need for partnership in successful development of tourism.
The conference attracted 200 visitors to the area and while the number was lower than in previous years, Mr Garvey said it was better than expected.
“It was down a little but it wasn’t as bad as we thought it might be. It remains viable at this level,” he added.
Mr Garvey stressed the importance of the conference to the local economy, adding that it creates a good impression of the county and generates repeat visitors. He also commented on the high quality of speakers at the event.
“Peter Malone was particularly interesting and hard hitting, as was Declan Power talking about Shannon Airport’s role in tourism development and the Minister’s speech, of course. Then the mayor of Clare in South Australia, Alan Aughey, gave a very interesting presentation on the importance of the link between the two Clares and people coming and going between the two places. The school links are invaluable too and guarantees the link into the future,” Mr Garvey concluded.