This article is from page 6 of the 2007-03-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
RURAL communities in Clare are being offered a chance to win a new EU Competition valued at €50,000. Shannon Development, in partner- ship with Failte Ireland, is promot- ing a new EU competition, the Eu- ropean Destinations of Excellence, to identify the Best Emerging Rural Tourism Destination in each of the Member States.
The competition is open to any town, district, village or area in Ireland with a population of up to 10,000. Entrants must represent an area which has defined geographic boundaries, is primarily rural, but can include urban areas, and must have undertaken tangible marketing activity promoting approved opera- tors.
The winning destination in Ireland will receive a prize valued at an es- timated €50,000 which includes an
energy and waste audit, an energy and waste management plan, a three- year marketing plan and a DVD of the destination.
The winner in each member state will have their area promoted on the international stage.
“This is a unique opportunity for communities around County Clare and the Shannon Region to compete for a major award which will not only enhance the physical infrastructure of their community, but also supple- ment promotional efforts,” says John Quinlivan, Shannon Development, Regional Development Manager- Orie
Full competition details and an ap- plication form are available at www. shannonregiontourism.ie/eden — or www.failteireland.ie/eden or call Siobhan King Clare Tourism Of- ficer, Shannon Development, at 065 6895004. The closing date for appli- cations is Friday, April 13.