This article is from page 13 of the 2006-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
TOURISM bosses are buying visitors a drink and offering them free boat trips as well as discounts, kiddies’ concessions and free-bed nights in a bid to tempt more tourists into the region.
Shannon Development’s new Extra Value Holidays brochure aims to improve on the €125 million which domestic visitors spend each year in the Shannon region.
Among the goodies that visitors are being offered are free bottles of wine with meals at certain restaurants, free dolphin-watching trips, free bicycle hire, free over-50s clubs, free accommodation for children and free summer camps for them, free afternoon tea and free walking maps and additional free nights accommodation.
The extra value guide was launched at the Holiday World Show, which started in the RDS in Dublin at the weekend.
John King of Shannon Development said, “the Extra Value Holidays guide will encourage people to take an early holiday break, with tourism interests in the region offering extra-value breaks from January through to June 2006. And visitors can get discount admissions to a range of local attractions by downloading them from our website at www.shannonregiontourism.ie”
Mr King said that the drive is being put in place because competition for the home market “is stronger than ever with all regions in the country actively promoting their own areas. That is why Shannon Development will be working even harder, in partnership with the region’s tourism interests, to attract more domestic visitors and encourage them to stay longer.”
With the domestic tourism spend at €125 million, it represents the region’s single biggest tourism market.
“This guide highlights the excellent value-for-money packages available for every age and group covering a wide range of activities and interests, as well as great value in fine food and entertainment,” said Mr King.