Towns nominated for tourism awards

A number of towns and villages in Clare have been included among those being considered for Fáilte Ireland’s 2013 Tourism Towns Award. Among the 45 towns and villages across the country on the list are Ennis, Kilrush, Kilkee, Mountshannon and Tuamgraney.

The Tourism Town award, now in its second year, is designed to recognise Irish towns and villages where the local community goes the extra mile to enhance their appeal to tourists.
The top 10 Highly Commended Tourism Towns will be announced at the National Tidy Towns Awards later in year, with the overall winner to be announced by Fáilte Ireland in November.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, said, “It’s very encouraging that so many towns and villages from across the country have once again entered the competition in its second year.
“I am looking forward to hearing who has made it into the top 10 and the overall winner later in the year. Best of luck and sincere thanks to all those towns and communities involved.”

Now in its second year, the award will continue to focus on how participating towns have developed their local area in the following key tourism areas such as sense of place, local involvement, tourism products available and development and promotion of the town.

Beverley Sherwood, ­destination development manager with Fáilte Ireland, emphasised the important characteristics of a tourism town and the how the award scheme seeks to recognise them.
“For us, a good tourism town is all about the role of the community in welcoming visitors and telling the story of the local area, which all adds significantly to the enjoyment that visitors have.”

“We have taken great care in drawing up the assessment criteria, ensuring that towns receiving an award have enhanced the experience of their visitors, improved their local ‘tourism offering’ and encouraged community-wide participation in the development of local tourism.”
The top 10 towns will each receive €1,000, with the eventual winner receiving a further €10,000 along with marketing and development supports from Fáilte Ireland.