Shannon Development, the Regional Tourism Authority for the Shannon Region counties of Limerick, Clare, North Tipperary and South Offaly, will unveil its 2010 tourism marketing plans at a special Tourism Industry Briefing shortly. The event is being organised in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for members of the Shannon Region tourism industry and takes place on Thursday 11th February 2010 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick.
Acknowledging that 2009 was a challenging year for Irish tourism Pat Daly, Tourism and Marketing Division Manager, Shannon Development said, “Visitor numbers in the Shannon Region will show a decrease in 2009, but against a tough global economic background Shannon Development succeeded in signing 38 major tourism marketing agreements with key travel companies world-wide. These initiatives, undertaken directly by Shannon Development, resulted in over 600,000 bednights for the Shannon Region and boosted visitor spend in the area by over €47 million. In addition to its own initiatives, Shannon Development continued to work with Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland to support a range of national and international radio, TV, print and online promotional campaigns.
Shannon Development is due to announce its 2010 regional tourism plans at the tourism trade briefing. The plans will tackle challenges facing the tourism industry in the Shannon Region and outline key initiatives that Shannon Development will be undertaking during 2010. Part of the presentation will involve an overview of plan 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. Daly.
Executives from all Tourism Agencies will be present at the events including Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland 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 at 9.45 am for a 10.15 am start. The event will finish at 1.30 pm, with one to one networking opportunities for tourism trade to link with agency staff from1.30pm to 3.00pm.
Calling on the tourism industry to attend the briefing, Mr. Daly said "Tourism is now the largest indigenous Irish industry, accounting for over €500m of tourism revenue in this Region alone. Directly employing an estimated 25,000 people, it will continue to 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 and potential opportunities from the tourism agencies. The event is also an opportunity for people in the industry to network with one another."
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
Fax: 061 363180
E-mail: Click Here