The Mayor of Clare will travel to the United States tomorrow to consolidate a major online promotion of County Clare as well as capitalise on Aer Lingus’ scheduled reinstatement of direct flights between Chicago O’Hare and Shannon International Airport.Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn said she had received confirmation today that the airline will reintroduce thrice-weekly direct flights between the two airports from 31st March to 24th October. Since 2005, all Aer Lingus passengers travelling between Chicago and Shannon have had to disembark at Dublin Airport.
“The reinstatement of the service for the next seven months will provide a welcome boost to the local tourism and business sectors as well as consolidate Shannon’s position as the gateway to the West of Ireland for North American traffic,” commented Mayor Taylor Quinn.
She noted that the axing of direct services has had a negative impact on the West of Ireland economy in recent years. The Mayor explained, “Business interests in the US Midwest have for many years invested in the West of Ireland due to the provision of direct flights to the region. Likewise, US tourists have long travelled to the region because of available direct flights. The axing of the direct flights served only to prolong an already lengthy journey, which was extremely inconvenient and unnecessary considering Shannon also has a US immigration clearance facility.”
“I am delighted that Aer Lingus has committed itself to developing existing services between Shannon and the US despite the current economic conditions and the corresponding downturn being experienced by the aviation sector,” added Mayor Taylor Quinn.
The Mayor also announced today that Aer Lingus has agreed to promote County Clare on its US website during March by encouraging people to visit and stay in the Banner County when they travel to Ireland. The airline will also offer discounted rates on flights between the US and Shannon Airport during St Patrick’s Day and throughout next week. The promotional campaign arose out of a recent meeting between the Mayor of Clare, Clare Tourism Forum and Jack Foley, Executive Vice President of Aer Lingus North America. Mayor Taylor Quinn said she believed that such destination-marketing campaigns would encourage Aer Lingus to further commit to developing its operations at Shannon Airport.
“Clare County Council, the Clare Tourism Forum and other promotional agencies throughout the region, have assisted in promoting Aer Lingus’ transatlantic routes and securing increased visitors through Shannon Airport. I am aware of the huge amount of promotional work already being done in this area by the local business and hospitality sectors, and I fully appreciate that that such efforts must continue if the US routes are to remain viable for Aer Lingus,” she stated.
Maureen Cleary of the Clare Tourism Forum described the campaign as an aggressive discounted offer-led promotion from County Clare tourism providers that was coordinated and designed by the Forum. “Discounts on attractions, activities, shopping, accommodation and details of festivals and events happening in Clare are highlighted. To date there has been a significant increase in traffic reported on the Tourism Forum website, which will hopefully translate into increased North American tourist activity in the County over the coming months, “ she said.
Ms. Cleary expressed optimism that Aer Lingus would continue to dovetail marketing initiatives and promotional fares with local initiatives, such as the provision by accommodation providers of competitive packages. She continued, “Considering these difficult economic circumstances, I believe that collaboration is the key to ensuring Ireland’s competitiveness as a leading tourist destination.”
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Clare is scheduled to attend a number of engagements in Chicago and New York over the coming week. During her time in Chicago, Councillor Madeleine Taylor Quinn will meet with members of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate to increase awareness of County Clare’s attractiveness as a tourism destination and an investment location for business. A similar message will be relayed during her scheduled meetings with the Irish Consul in Chicago Martin Rouine and members of the Irish-American community at a function in Gaelic Park before taking part in the Windy City’s annual Downtown and Southside St Patrick’s Day parades.
Next week, the Mayor will travel to New York where she is scheduled to meet with the Irish Consul Niall Burgess and attend separate briefings with North American officials from Aer Lingus, Failte Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. Mayor Taylor Quinn will attend the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade before returning to Ireland.
