News Release -
Shannon Development names new Shannon Region Tourism Board
Shannon Development has announced the appointment of eleven leading business figures from around the Region to the company’s new Shannon Region Tourism Development Board. The new board held its first meeting on Thursday 7th December at Shannon Development’s head office in the Town Centre, Shannon.
The Board is being chaired by well known Ennis Solicitor Michael Houlihan. Board members were nominated by local authorities, regional tourism and tourism industry groups. Other new board members are; hoteliers Mary Fitzgerald from Co. Limerick, Michael Vaughan from Co. Clare and Offaly hotelier Willie Loughnane; Robert Byrne a Vintner from Limerick City; Alec Fleming Co. Manager with Clare Co. Council and Terry O’ Niadh Co. Manager, North Tipperary Co. Council; two local elected representatives from the Mid West – Cllr. Peter Considine and Cllr. John Crowe; Failte Ireland will be represented by John Concannon. The new Board has been appointed for a three-year term during which time their role will be to advise Shannon Development on the preparation and implementation of a strategic tourism plan for the Shannon Region.
Announcing the new Board appointees Kevin Thompstone, Chief Executive Shannon Development said, “I would like to welcome the new board members, I look forward to working with them. The tourism industry in Ireland is at a crucial point in its development. The factors central to our success in the past are not necessarily the ones to carry us forward into the future. Tourism is one of the most important indigenous industries in the Shannon Region and as such I am particularly pleased with the high calibre of new board members all of whom will bring their expertise to bear to assist Shannon Development to further grow and develop this important market.”
“In accepting the position of Chairman of this new tourism Board I look forward to working with my fellow board members and Shannon Development to help shape Shannon Region tourism going forward. All of the board appointees are very successful in their own fields and I believe that the variety of experience they can bring to the task ahead will be invaluable”, says Mr. Michael Houlihan, Chairman, Shannon Region Tourism Development Board.
In 2005 over 1 million overseas visitors came to the Shannon Region – and a further 750,000 domestic visitors experienced the Shannon Region as a tourist destination. Tourism spend of €400 million in revenue to the Shannon Region was recorded in 2005, highlighting the importance of this sector to the local economy.
“New accommodation coming on-stream in 2007 will bring the Region’s total accommodation base to an estimated 7,500 beds. The challenge for Shannon Development and the tourism industry will be to develop and sustain the Shannon Region as a high quality and competitive tourism destination. To achieve this we will work closely with the tourism industry, local & regional bodies, and our colleagues in Fáilte Ireland /Tourism Ireland to provide focused, strategic, and practical actions to deal with the critical issues in Tourism”, says John King, Director, Heritage and Tourism, Shannon Development.
Pictured at the first meeting of the Shannon Region Tourism Board, established by Shannon Development, were, seated (l-r) Willie Loughnane, hotelier, Birr, Co Offaly, Mary Fitzgerald, hotelier, Co Limerick, Michael Houlihan, chairman, Shannon Region Tourism Board, Robert Byrne, publican, Limerick city, Pat Shanahan, chairman, Shannon Airport Authority, and standing (l-r) Kevin Thompstone, chief executive, Shannon Development, Therese Ross, company secretary, Shannon Development, Cllrs John Crowe and Peter Considine, Mid West Regional Authority, John Concannon, regional development director, Failte Ireland, Michael Vaughan, hotelier, Co Clare, Liam McElligott, chairman, Shannon Development, and John King, Heritage and Tourism director, Shannon Development. Missing from the photo are Shannon Region Tourism Board members, Terry O’Niadh, county manager, North Tipperary County Council, and Alec Fleming, county manager, Clare County Council.
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