Tag Archives: Clare tourism

Clare is being “poorly served” by the tourism industry, according to Kilkee-based business man and tourism consultant Cillian Murphy, while he believes the county should strive to attract fewer tourists but more bed nights. Mr Murphy has also suggested that the county is not benefiting sufficiently from the more than one million annual visitors to the Cliffs of Moher, with thousands of tourists arriving on a tour bus and then leaving after their visit without spending a bob. The former chairman of Loop Head Tourism believes Clare should not try to increase visitor numbers but should seek to provide more accommodation options across the county. “We do not necessarily need to attract more visitors. The marketing of Clare has been exceptional and has delivered ever-increasing numbers of visitors over the past 20 years. Our problem is we are not reaping the rewards in terms of the local economic benefits in our rural and coastal economies, such as local job opportunities. …

Bunratty-based businessman Maurice Walsh has been appointed Chair of Clare Tourism, the group responsible for the tourism marketing and promotion of County Clare. Mr. Walsh, who is General Manager of Durty Nelly’s, assumes the role held by Ennis hotelier Paul Madden since 2015. In his opening address to the Clare Tourism Steering Group, comprising tourism representatives from each of the five geographical areas of County Clare, Mr. Walsh said he is committed to exploring “new and innovative ways or promoting Clare as one of Ireland’s top visitor destinations.” “Through www.clare.ie, the hosting of networking events and our presence at trade shows in Ireland and overseas, Clare Tourism members are committed to promoting and marketing the county through different avenues to continue to keep Clare at the top of the destinations list in the country. We are also committed to increasing the overall number of bed nights and the average spend of day-trippers to our many visitor attractions,” he said. Mr. …

A website dedicated to the promotion of tourism in Clare has gone live, as the Banner County prepares to welcome hoards of people for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in August. Clare Tourism’s new website, Clare.ie features details on where to stay, what to do and where to dine, and forms part an overall strategy of strengthening the county’s reputation as a leading domestic and international tourist destination. The website is dominated by the ‘Visit Clare’ brand, which was launched in early 2016 to showcase the key brand qualities of County Clare, including its landscapes and locations, its people and music. The ‘Visit Clare’ brand is the spine of Clare Tourism’s marketing strategy and the new website is a welcome addition to the Clare Tourism proposition, according to Paul Madden, chairperson of the organisation. “The year-long programme that promotes Clare as a County of Culture is serving as a great boost to every corner of Clare, while the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil …

The Holiday World Show 2016 at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin from Friday, January 22 to Sunday 24  will provide a forum for face-to-face interaction with over 1,000 travel and tourism professionals, representing over 50 countries. Clare exhibitors targeting the 30,000 expected attendees at this year’s Holiday World Show include the Aillwee Cave, Bunratty Castle Hotel, Clare Tourism, Doolin Cave, Doonbeg Community Development, Great National Hotels & Resorts, Shannon Ferries and Visit Ennis The RDS venue will be transformed into a hub of exotic, vibrant, multi-cultural activity; from the Americas to Asia, Europe to Africa, visitors can literally experience the locations on offer in a way that is not possible on the internet. A one-stop shop of inspiration and advice, the 2016 show is sure to broaden the horizons of those seeking their ideal break. Whether you’re seeking that once-in-alifetime trip, planning a well deserved family holiday or making plans for a romantic getaway, the Holiday World Show is the must-attend event of the year.

ENNIS hotelier Paul Madden has been appointed as the chair of Clare Tourism, the group responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Banner County at home and abroad. Mr Madden, who is general manager of the Temple Gate Hotel and a founding member of Clare Tourism, assumes the role held by Donnagh Gregson since 2013. Speaking to The Clare Champion following his election, Mr Madden said the marketing and promotion arm of the body will focus on increasing the number of visitors staying overnight in the county. “We have a fantastic tourism product in Clare. We are on the Wild Atlantic Way and we have a great showcase coming to Ennis with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann next year, so we need to use it to our best advantage,” Mr Madden said. “We are fortunate that we are on the Wild Atlantic Way and we have some major stop-off points that contribute to the experience of travelling from Donegal to Kerry. …

Following on from a good year for overseas visitors to Ireland in 2014, indications are that this trend is set to continue, which augurs well for tourism in Clare. CSO data releaased this week shows that the number of overseas visits between November 2014 and January 2015 increased by 9.1% compared to the corresponding period for 2013/2014. The CSO Quarterly National Household Survey shows further positive results for the sector with the numbers employed in the accommodation and food services sector (seasonally adjusted) increasing by 1,600. Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe welcomed the positive data in respect of overseas tourism. ‘I am very pleased to see that our overseas visitors continue to grow. 2014 saw the fourth consecutive year of growth in visitor numbers. In fact, 2014 broke all previous records in terms of the number of overseas visits from key markets like North America, Germany, France and Spain. We have targeted further growth in 2015 and as part of the …

Clare is poised to benefit from the upsurge in tourism activity, with 2015 set to become a bumper year for the industry. That’s according to chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs Pat Breen. The Clare deputy pointed out that the tourism sector in Clare has experienced growth thanks to the revival of Shannon Airport, the abolition of the Air Travel Tax and the retention of the reduced VAT on tourism services. “Our tourism industry is experiencing rapid growth and according to Bord Fáilte, the number of visitors will grow again next year with 2015  set to become a bumper year for tourism with record levels of revenue expected and the creation of a further 8,000 jobs in the industry,” he outlined. Deputy Breen said the promotion of The Wild Atlantic Way has been a major success with the opening of the lighthouse in Loop Head helping to drive tourists back into West Clare. “The Loop Head Peninsula received …

FÁILTE Ireland has this week published a comprehensive set of reports capturing holidaymakers’ views of Ireland, including a survey on County Clare. The Fáilte Ireland Holidaymaker Study 2013 analysed the views of nearly 10,000 overseas and domestic holidaymakers, who visited 11 holiday areas across the country between May to October 2013. Visitors explained why they chose a certain destination, how they researched their trip and sourced their information as well as where they stayed, where they chose to eat and what attractions they visited. Of those surveyed, 64% said they would recommend Clare as a tourist destination and of those, 76% recommend it because of its “beautiful scenery and countryside”, while 51% said they would recommend it because of its nice and friendly people. It was the friendliness of local people which stood out most to tourists in their overall experience and the county earned a score of 4.78 out of 5 for this. A close second was its natural …