News Release -
Limerick to benefit from new Tourism Trade Partnership with Brescia Region of Italy
A successful visit by top tourism representatives from the Brescia Region of Italy will result in additional tourism business for Limerick. This is the message from Shannon Development and Limerick Co-Ordination Office who have just completed a successful series of meetings with the Brescia Tourism representatives. The visit of the Italian group to Limerick was organised last weekend (16th -18th Feb ‘07) by Shannon Development Company in conjunction with the Limerick Co-Ordination Office.
“We identified a number of business and co-operative partnership opportunities between our Regions. There are a number of similarities between the Brescia and Limerick. For example there is a strong rugby and golf and heritage tradition. We are delighted with the new tourism partnerships which have been established between Limerick and Brescia, and we are confident that they will yield additional tourism and sports business for Limerick into the future,” says Mr. John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development.
During their stay Shannon Development and the Limerick Co-Ordination Office organised a tour of Limerick incorporating the Hunt Museum, the University of Limerick and a visit to the new Cliffs of Moher visitor Centre and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. A special mayoral reception was organised for the group in City Hall by the Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Joe Leddin.
Speaking at the event Cllr Leddin said, “It is important in the context of an enlarged EU to forge greater links with different regions and cities across the EU. There are tremendous opportunities for Limerick to develop tangible links with regions like Brescia, on a number of fronts, with low cost airlines like Ryanair opening up cities and regions people are travelling abroad more so from a tourism perspective we could work together. Other possibilities include linkages between our Universities and third level colleges, for cities and regions to really develop tangible links it is important that a business and commercial link is established and I am delighted that Shannon Development are hosting this delegation.”
“As a result of the visit a number of exciting business opportunities have been identified. Brescia shares Limerick’s strong rugby tradition and one of our aims for the visit was to forge links between Limerick and the Calvisano Rugby club and other clubs in the overall Brescia Region. We brought the Italian rugby representative to the University of Limerick to see the training facilities which the campus boasts. As a result the Brescia/Lombardy rugby representative is now looking at bringing over their elite rugby academy athletes and club squads from their Region for training at the University of Limerick. Another major outcome of the visit has been the agreement to develop golfing links between our Regions that will see a marked increase in Italian golf business to our Region,” says Pat Daly, Tourism Marketing Manager, Shannon Development.
Limerick Co-ordination Office Chairperson Kay McGuinness said that Limerick and Brescia have a lot to learn from each other and with the Ryanair flight from Shannon to Bergamo there is a now great opportunity to improve these links.
“We have an opportunity to develop golf tourism and cultural tourism with our counterparts in Brescia. We were delighted to welcome to Limerick representatives of Calvisano Rugby Club, and hope that sometime in the future they will opt to do their pre-season training at the University of Limerick,” Ms McGuinness added.
“Limerick people also have an excellent opportunity now to visit the city and province of Brescia, and nearby Lake Garda. Brescia is an historic city with wonderful Roman, Venetian & medieval architecture,” she said.
Brescia Tourism President Alessio Merigo said he was very pleased with their delegation’s first official visit to Limerick. “We had interesting meetings which could lead to positive outcomes and fruitful co-operation - I consider Limerick as one of the main gateways to Ireland with a great potential for tourism exchange,” said Mr Merigo.
“Ireland has experienced tremendous economic and social development in recent years and the numbers of tourists travelling to Italy, and in particular to the province of Brescia, have increased because there is so much to offer - the lakes, the mountains, art culture, excellent food and wine,” he added.
“On the other hand Limerick and Shannon region have a lot to offer to Italian tourist and we will certainly promote the region in positive terms back in Italy,” Mr Mergip said.
“And the Ryanair direct flight connecting Bergamo and Shannon is a major asset for both our areas and will definitely help foster tourism exchange,” he concluded.
“This is proving to be a successful partnership and in addition Shannon Development has established a tourism trade partnership with the Biarritz Region in France. We will continue to work with key tourism reps in these areas to forge lasting partnerships which can yield dividends for the Shannon Region,” says Mr. Daly, Tourism Marketing Manager, Shannon Development.
Cultural exchange: Shannon Development Tourism Marketing Manager Pat Daly (left) shares a joke with Limerick City Mayor Cllr Joe Leddin (right) during a visit of the Brescia Tourism delegation to City Hall. Also included are (l-r): Province of Brescia Councillor of Tourism Riccardo Minini and Brescia Tourism President Alessio Merigo
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