Speaking at the announcement of the Company’s results for 2005 in Limerick today (9th January 2006), Mr Kevin Thompstone, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, said “The key priority for Shannon Development in 2006 will be delivering on the new mandate given to the Company by Government. Our strategy will be to maximise the regional economic development potential of the Shannon Region, and thereby contribute to the development of the emerging Atlantic economic counterpole to the East Coast”.
Mr Thompstone said “Achieving balanced regional development is both a national goal and a regional imperative, and Shannon Development will continue to press for the speedy implementation of National Spatial Strategy and Transport 21 proposals for this region and for the wider Atlantic Corridor”.
He identified the key goals for Shannon Development in 2006 as being:
Mr Thompstone’s comments followed Government announcements last year of a changed role for the Company, when the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, confirmed that Shannon Development would continue to have an important regional economic development role through the retention of its asset base throughout the region, including the Shannon Free Zone, while some of the Company’s enterprise support activities would transfer to Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
In November 2005, the Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism strongly endorsed the Company’s role in tourism when he confirmed that Shannon Development would continue to be the regional tourism authority for the Shannon Region.
Mr Thompstone went on to state that “Shannon Development would deliver on its key goals by using the Company’s extensive property portfolio, located throughout the region, as a lever to provide the economic development infrastructure that is essential for regional development”. The Company already provides an extensive range of property solutions and facilities for foreign and indigenous industry in the region, and with our new focus we will be redoubling our efforts in this area” he said.
“We will use our reconfirmed mandate as the Regional Tourism Authority for this region to drive tourism development in the region, and to deliver on our mandate to develop the less developed areas of our region. By its nature, tourism development tends to be located in otherwise less developed areas and can therefore be the catalyst for further economic development in these areas. For example, the development of an international golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which was initiated by Shannon Development, has already prompted further significant investment in the West Clare area” said Mr Thompstone.
Speaking on tourism initiatives, Mr Thompstone said “In 2006, Shannon Development will work to identify new tourism marketing initiatives, to improve awareness of the Shannon Region as a superb holiday destination with overseas visitors, and on the product development side, to support new and enhanced products to attract additional visitors”.
“We will carry out these tasks in an innovative way, with increased emphasis on e-marketing and exploiting the use of the Internet. We will continue our policy of participating in overseas promotions in markets with direct access to Shannon Airport. We will place particular emphasis on developing new tourism products of scale for the Shannon Region”.
Mr Thompstone concluded “Building on our proven track record, we will continue to work with our partners to build strategic partnerships and networks aimed at delivering a shared regional vision. We will continue to research and initiate pioneering development projects that have the potential to generate significant economic impact regionally and nationally. While significant challenges remain, we are ready to meet these challenges and deliver on our new regional development mandate in the years ahead”.
To view full details of Shannon Development's 2005 Year End Results
please click Shannon Development End of Year Statement 2006 .pdf
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
Fax: 061 363180
E-mail: Click Here