March 6 2008
www.galwayadvertiser.ie17BY MAGDALENA SZULCT
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.The Galway Tourist Office
started off a little over 30
years ago under the name
Ireland West Tourism. The
way things were handled in
those days differed a lot to
how business is run nowa-
days. A lot has to do with
technology and its constant
development. Docket writing
skills have long been forgot-
ten and a memory of Galway
city with only a few B&Bs
and a couple of hotels seems
hard to believe. Now there
are planes, boats, and state of
the art ferries at tourists8217 dis-
posal, reaching every desti-
nation they might want to set
foot on.
Anne Melia, regional
tourism development officer,
has been in business since
the very start and she has
surely noticed how Galway
and the whole west of Ireland
has grown to offer a stagger-
ing level of accommodation
with a great variety to choose
from, and how technology
makes working in tourism so
much easier. Although, as
Anne says, Galway, being so
attractive, nearly sells itself,
you can never become com-
placent about making
tourism more available. That
is why the website www.dis-
coverireland.ie/west is being
updated nearly every minute,
providing Irish as well as for-
eign tourists with up-to-date
information.
Anne goes back to how
there used to be more focus
on commercial activities,
whereas now following the
merger of the regional
tourism authorities with
F225ilte Ireland considerably
more resources are invested
in the marketing and devel-
opment of tourism in the
region. Anne Melia easily
proves tourism is an exciting
industry to be working in
with all the travelling
involved, never a 8216nine to five8217
job, and the hospitality and
advice offered to numerous
holiday-makers. A number of
certificates awarded to Anne
for fundraising walks in
Spain, India, and South
Africa only add to the posi-
tive impression she8217s the
right person on the job.
Ireland West became part
of F225ilte Ireland in July 2006.
Following the merger F225ilte
Ireland West embarked on
the development of the first
tourism development strate-
gy for the region. The strate-
gy, which sets out where the
west region wants to be posi-
tioned by 2010, was developed
in consultation with every
sector of tourism industry,
from accommodation
providers, festivals and event
organisers, activities and
attractions, and transport
and infrastructure providers,
to the host of State agencies
with a tourism remit includ-
ing local authorities, 218dar225s
na Gaeltachta, the LEADER
companies in the region, and
the various community
groups involved in tourism
development and promotion.
Fiona Monaghan, general
manager for the west region,
talks about four key themes
stemming from the above-
mentioned strategy. The first
step is developing the region
as Ireland8217s primary outdoor
and adventure destination
while focusing on environ-
mental sustainability. That
will include making the rural
west of Ireland irresistible to
visitors through the promo-
tion of walking (looped
walks, linear walks, and
upland walks), the develop-
ment of new cycle hubs at
Clifden, Westport, and Achill,
attracting and promoting key
outdoor and adventure
events, including the first
ever rat race scheduled to
take place in Galway city
later this year in conjunction
with Galway City Council,
and of course the promotion
of Galway and the west of
Ireland to a huge internation-
al audience through the
Volvo Ocean Race stop over
in May 2009.
Next, is enhancing the cul-
tural experience of visitors
which will involve upgrading
the tourist experience at key
attractions, supporting new
attractions, promoting east
Galway as a cultural centre of
excellence, and many others.
The third element of the
strategy focuses on continu-
ing to develop tourism hubs
in order to exploit synergies.
Positioning Galway as a busi-
ness/conference destination,
developing music venues,
and protecting and enhanc-
ing the cultural and architec-
tural core of Galway are but a
few of many planned actions
under this category.
The final crucial strategic
thrust is in relation to
improving access to and
within the region. Many of
the actions here are outside
the direct remit of F225ilte
Ireland West. However the
organisation and its board
will act as an advocate for the
delivery of these key actions
which include; exploiting
new access routes into
Galway Airport and Ireland
West Airport, identifying and
prioritising the upgrading of
tourist attraction signage,
and helping improve rural
transport.
Those attending the official
opening of the Galway
Discover Ireland Centre on
Saturday had a chance to lis-
ten to Minister for Arts,
Sport, and Tourism, Seamus
Brennan and chairman of
F225ilte Ireland West,
Raymond J Rooney.
John Concannon, director
of regional development for
F225ilte Ireland nationally, offi-
ciated at the event. John held
the office of chief executive of
Ireland West Tourism prior
to the merger of the organi-
sation with F225ilte Ireland.
The new structure has bene-
fited the region and has pro-
vided significant increased
investment opportunities in
tourism development.
Concannon remembers
long queues in the old tourist
information office, whereas
now there is an increased
focus on providing a world
class visitor experience and
allowing visitors to gather
the information they are
seeking in a relaxed and com-
fortable atmosphere.
Tourists can also obtain
information through touch-
screen computers or by talk-
ing to qualified travel con-
sultants in the new customer-
friendly office. Just last year
two million visitors chose to
use Ireland West for advice
on their holidays; no wonder
they call themselves beacons
of service. They don8217t rest on
their laurels though, and are
still finding ways to perfect
what they do best. The
results also speak for them-
selves, with 20 per cent
growth in domestic holidays
last year. According to Fiona
Monaghan, the west region
aims to increase tourism
earnings by 8364200 million to
8364980 million by 2010, grow
holiday visitors to 2.3 million,
and ultimately to maintain
the status as a world class
tourism destination!
F225ilte Ireland West works
closely with all the local
authorities and receives
great support from Joe
McGrath and the city council
as well as city councillors in
relation to its activities in
Galway city.First Discover Ireland Centre
officially opened in GalwayCommercial FeatureJohn Concannon, Director of Regional Development for Failte
Ireland, Cllr Mary Leahy and Frank Fahey TD pictured at the
official opening of the new Discover Ireland Centre on
Saturday.
Failte Ireland8217s Eve Nolan, Director of Regional Development
for Failte Ireland John Concannon, and Chairman of Failte
Ireland West Ray Rooney show Minister Brennan some of the
finer points of the new offices.Chairman of Failte IrelandWest Raymond Rooney, Minister
Seamus Brennan TD, Fiona Monaghan GM of Failte Ireland
West and John Concannon,Director of Regional Development,
Failte Irelandpictured at the official opening of the new
Discover Ireland Centre on Forster Place on Saturday by
Seamus Brennan TD, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism.
Photo: Reg Gordon
Aer Arann founder Padraig O'Ceidigh, marketing manager for
Galway Airport Michael Maloney, and Aidan Daly from NUIG.
Cllr Peter Feeney, Anne Melia, Regional Tourism Development
Officer, and Cllr Padraig Conneely.
Joe Walsh, MD of Galway Airport, and Liam Scollan, MD of
Ireland West Airport Knock.
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