Fáilte Ireland preparing Athy promotional video
Further boosts are being sought for tourism in Athy
A CALL has been made for an Athy-focused tourist forum to be created, in an attempt to boost tourism in the town and wider area.
Cllr Brian Dooley brought forward a motion at the most recent meeting of Athy Municipal District (MD) proposing that the council create a tourist forum “to create a masterplan to market the Athy MD both nationally and internationally".
He proposed that the forum be led by cathaoirleach Ivan Keatley, supported by the council’s director of services for planning, economic development, enterprise and tourism Alan Dunney, and that it consist of representatives from “local organisations, hoteliers, restaurant owners, museum managers along with businesses who have an interest in developing tourist footfall”.
Into Kildare’s Chief Executive Officer Áine Mangan as well as the council’s head of enterprise, economic and tourism Jacqui McNabb issued the response to cllr Dooley’s motion, where they shut down the prospect of a focused tourism forum of Athy MD.
Their report stated that it would not be appropriate to establish new tourism structures in different parts of the county, with it being important in their view to promote tourism strategically at a countywide level. The response outlined the work that Into Kildare and the council have done in promoting and developing tourism in the Athy area.
The report said that Into Kildare and the council continue to work with tourism-related businesses such as the Clanard Court Hotel and O’Brien’s pub to arrange “familiarisation trips” to the town for tour operators, tourism promoters and journalists.
They also said that in partnership with Fáilte Ireland they are preparing a promotional video for the Athy area which is set to be launched during the summer.
Tuning in virtually to the meeting from the US, cllr Dooley noted anecdotes he has heard of people missing events in the town because they were not aware of them – pointing to a lack of promotion of some local events.
The Fianna Fail councillor said that Into Kildare is more focused on the bigger picture of countywide tourism, and he wants a forum with a localised focus, aimed at supporting the county’s tourism body rather than taking away from it.
Cllr Dooley’s Fianna Fáil colleague Veralouise Behan expressed her support for the motion whilst speaking at the meeting.
