This article is from page 3 of the 2006-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
SHANNON Airport management are set to adopt an aggressive marketing approach in order minimise the adverse effects on to Mid West region of a potential 35 per cent loss in transatlantic traffic as a result of the Open Skies agreement.
Roisin Kelly, Marketing Executive for the Shannon Airport Authority revealed that the authority expected to lose 35 per cent of transatlantic traffic in light of the Open Skies agreement brokered between the European Union and the United States. It will see the Shannon stopover permanentley ended by April 2008. The first phase of this agreement is due to be phased in later this year.
“These figures are based on our traffic assumptions if nothing happens but we are working hard to reduce any potential loss,” she told a Shannon Development tourism briefing.
“There will be fallout but it is hard at this exact moment to determine the level of it,” said Ms Kelly yesterday.
“Shannon is already firmly established as a gateway to the west. There is real potential in attracting young backpackers from the US to stay in the Mid West before travelling on to Europe” she added
Shannon Airport is also pursuing a number of other specific tourism initiatives including joint initiatives with other European airports, developing new markets such as short term breaks and sports tourism, publishing new promotional literature and greater promotion through the airports website.
The move is part of an overall strategy that is to be implemented in the Mid West Region, designed to increase visitor numbers in the region.
Shannon Development has set a target of increasing tourism growth to the region by 5 per cent over the next year.
John King, Director of Heritage and Tourism at Shannon Development, said the strategy was designed to ensure a more evenly balanced spread of tourism revenue throughout the entire Mid West region.
Mr. King was also speaking at the Shannon Development tourism briefing.
“Increased traffic through Shannon International Airport with the introduction of new services from the UK and Europe operated by Ryanair, from Boston by American Airlines, and in more recent times from Warsaw, all had a positive impact on the Shannon Region tourism industry during 2005.
“For the first time ever, Shannon International Airport recorded 3.3 million visitors, and the Ryanair announcement of four new routes from its Shannon base to Manchester, Wroclaw, Rome and Murcia, will continue to impact positively during 2006,” he said.