News Release -
French and Spanish Travel Media get to Experience the Tourism Delights of the Shannon Region
A group of prestigious French and Spanish travel media visited the Shannon Region this week as part of a major tourism promotional drive organised by Shannon Development in partnership with Ryanair, Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland.
The event was organised as a follow-up to a major market drive Shannon Development undertook in the Biarritz area of France late last year to entice tourism media from that area to come and report on the Shannon Region as a tourist destination. As a result of this latest travel media visit to the Shannon Region, the area will now be featured on television, and radio throughout South of France and Northern Spain. These journalists will also produce travel features in a range of publications in their area to entice holidaymakers to choose the Shannon Region for their next holiday break.
“With the new Ryanair Biarritz route giving us direct access to Shannon Airport we recognised the huge tourism potential on our doorstep and decided to launch a campaign to entice these visitors to the Shannon Region. It is one of a number of media visits we are planning over the coming year in association with airlines and our colleagues in Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland”, says Pat Daly, Tourism Marketing Manager, Shannon Development.
During their four day visit the travel media were taken on a whistle stop tour of some of the Region’s tourism gems including the new Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. They enjoyed dinner and a traditional Irish music session in Ennis at the Old Ground Hotel, and they stayed at the Temple Gate Hotel in the town. They visited Doolin, Ballyvaughan, and experienced surfing at Lahinch. They also got to see Killaloe on Lough Derg, Ireland’s largest pleasure lake and stopping off at Larkin’s pub restaurant in Garrykennedy. They visited Bunratty village and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
They enjoyed a walk at Fairymount Farm in Ballingarry with John and Linda Kenny. They dined at Fiachri Country House Restaurant and Cookery School in Boulerea, Knock, Roscrea, and were given a special tour of the Cookery School by Enda Hennessey. They stayed in Racket Hall Hotel and got to experience a cruise courtesy of Silver Line Cruisers in Banagher. They explored Birr Castle Demesne with its gardens and science centre. They toured Kinnity Castle and experienced horse riding courtesy of Birr Equestrian Centre. They visited Limerick City staying at the Clarion Hotel and enjoyed a traditional Irish music session in Dolan’s pub. They had a sight seeing tour of the city which incorporated a visit to King John’s Castle. They were accompanied on their journey by Siobhan King, Shannon Development Tourism Officer for Co. Clare and Bernie Leonard, Shannon Development Tourism Office North Tipperary and South Offaly.
“With more direct air access being opened up to the Shannon Region, this initiative was part of Shannon Development’s increased focus on promoting overseas locations with direct air access to the Shannon Region. This group comprised print, radio and TV journalists. Shannon Development drew up the itinerary to give them a sample of the wonderful range of visitor products, activities and accommodation awaiting French and Spanish holidaymakers who come to the Shannon Region. These travel media were very impressed with our Region and have promised to highlight our area as a must see location,” says Mr. John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development.
Members of the French and Spanish travel writers press group pictured in Ennis enjoying the town’s river walk from left; Anne Zemmour, Tourism Ireland (France), Siobhan King Shannon Development Tourism Officer for Co. Clare, Françoise Mazquiaran, Valerie Josa, Stephane Moreau, Anne Tautou, Franck Dolosor, and Jean-Philippe Viel.
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Nandi O’Sullivan
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