Shannon Development, the Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and South Offaly, will unveil its 2009 tourism marketing plans at a special Tourism Industry briefing being held in conjunction with Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for members of the Shannon Region tourism industry on Wednesday 21st January ’09 at the Radisson Hotel, Limerick.
Acknowledging that 2008 was a challenging year for Irish tourism John King Tourism Director Shannon Development said, “As a result of the full implementation of Open Skies, the impact of the loss of the Shannon Heathrow air link and the currency weakness against the Euro, overall visitor numbers in the Shannon Region will show a decrease in 2008. But against the tough economic background Shannon Development succeeded in signing 35 major tourism marketing agreements with key travel companies world-wide. These initiatives, undertaken directly by Shannon Development, resulted in over 426,000 additional bednights for the Shannon Region and boosted visitor spend in the area by over €43 million.”
Shannon Development is due to announce its detailed of its new 2009 regional tourism plan at the tourism trade briefing. The plan will highlight key challenges facing global tourism and how that will impact on the tourism industry in the Shannon Region. Part of the presentation will involve an overview of the plans for the promotion and development of the industry by Shannon Development over the coming year.
“Shannon Development will continue to build on its network of international tourism contacts in airline vacation companies and with key tour operators in all key markets and seek out new business opportunities from national and international tourism markets,” said Mr. King.
Shaun Quinn CEO Failte Ireland and Paul O Toole CEO Tourism Ireland will also give detailed presentations covering the key activities of both agencies for 2008. In addition to the key note speakers, the main Executives from all Agencies will be present at the events to discuss specific issues such as training, international promotion, and product development. The Seminar is free and is open to all tourism industry representatives and registration for the event is 10.00 am for a 10.30 am start and the event will finish at 1.00 pm.
Calling on the tourism industry to attend the briefing, Mr. King said "Tourism is now the largest indigenous Irish Industry, accounting for over €450million of direct tourism expenditure in this Region alone, and will be central to the future economic development of the West. I would strongly encourage tourism industry members to attend this event to get a full briefing on the activities of the tourism agencies, and use the forum to raise issues specific to their business or sector. The events are also a major networking opportunity between people in the industry and also for people in the Shannon Region to meet with Executives from the national tourism agencies."
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
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