Clare County Council today adopted its first ever tourism strategy for the county.
The two areas prioritised in the “Clare County Council Tourism Strategy 2010-2014” are Product Development and Marketing and Promotion, both with a particular emphasis on value for money and a strong customer focus.
Cllr Richard Nagle, Chair of the Strategic Policy Committee for Community and Enterprise, Tourism and Emergency Services, noted that the strategy outlines Clare County Council’s position and vision in relation to tourism in the county.
He continued: “Clare County Council has always adopted a pro-active role in the promotion and development of tourism in the County. By adopting a strategic approach the Council will be in a strong position to respond to the challenges currently facing the tourism sector. the actions underpinning the strategy are strategic, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely and will result in the opportunities available being capitalised on.”
Commenting on the strategy, County Manager, Tom Coughlan added that a strategic focus is required to allow Clare County Council to appropriately respond to the challenges facing it, in its role in relation to tourism development in the county.
He explained: “In taking a strategic approach the strategy identifies the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for tourism in the county while simultaneously acknowledging possible threats which may continue to adversely affect the tourism industry in general. The opportunities detailed in the document combined with the strengths of tourism in the county provide a broad platform to enable Clare County Council to achieve its vision.”
Cllr Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare commented: “I would like to commend my colleagues in the development and adoption of the strategy. In the context of limited and often very reduced resources, that it is important that Clare County Council shows leadership by working closely with partner agencies such as Shannon Development and Fáilte Ireland and the tourism sector in the promotion and development of tourism in the region, and indeed the country.”
The actions in this strategy, the Mayor added, are complementary to the work of Shannon Development in the county with a strong emphasis on a partnership approach to product development and marketing and promotion of the county.
