The Chairperson of the Clare Tourism Forum today described Loop Head’s success in The Irish Times ‘Best Place to Holiday in Ireland’ contest as a tribute to the collaborative approach adopted by regional development agencies and the local community of Loop Head to developing the Peninsula’s tourism product.
Donnagh Gregson suggested that Loop Head’s growing reputation as a visitor destination has evolved as a result of “a community-led approach” to marketing the region and its wide variety of tourist attractions and activities.
“The Loop Head Peninsula is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community sets out a vision for developing its tourism offering while at the same time avails of the support of key agencies such as Clare County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Clare Local Development Company,” she stated.
Ms. Gregson said the naming of Loop Head as Ireland’s premier holiday destination ahead of many established locations throughout the country should inspire other communities in Clare to explore how they can further enhance their own tourism product offering,
She explained: “The development and promotion of lesser known attractions is often overlooked even though they hold the key to revitalising rural communities and contributing to the sustained growth of the Clare tourism sector. Clare boasts some of the world’s most famous heritage sites and tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle, Cragganowen, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the County has a much wider offering with a vast array of local heritage sites and attractions, along with locations that boast some of Ireland’s most unique and breathtaking scenery.”
“Tourists come to Ireland to experience the cultural characteristics that make the country unique and unless regions such as the Loop Head Peninsula continue to possess the foresight to develop and promote this aspect for tourists, we run the risk of losing our unique selling point and could significantly reduce our international appeal as a consequence. There is an emerging trend that domestic and international tourists alike are looking to visit these locations and experience a truly organic and authentic holiday, and this is something that the Clare Tourism Forum is keen to promote locally, nationally and internationally. We look forward to continuing to include the Loop Head Peninsula in our promotional campaigns and ensuring that tour operators in particular are made aware of its unique tourism offering,” Ms. Gregson concluded.
Donnagh Gregson suggested that Loop Head’s growing reputation as a visitor destination has evolved as a result of “a community-led approach” to marketing the region and its wide variety of tourist attractions and activities.
“The Loop Head Peninsula is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community sets out a vision for developing its tourism offering while at the same time avails of the support of key agencies such as Clare County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Clare Local Development Company,” she stated.
Ms. Gregson said the naming of Loop Head as Ireland’s premier holiday destination ahead of many established locations throughout the country should inspire other communities in Clare to explore how they can further enhance their own tourism product offering,
She explained: “The development and promotion of lesser known attractions is often overlooked even though they hold the key to revitalising rural communities and contributing to the sustained growth of the Clare tourism sector. Clare boasts some of the world’s most famous heritage sites and tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle, Cragganowen, The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the County has a much wider offering with a vast array of local heritage sites and attractions, along with locations that boast some of Ireland’s most unique and breathtaking scenery.”
“Tourists come to Ireland to experience the cultural characteristics that make the country unique and unless regions such as the Loop Head Peninsula continue to possess the foresight to develop and promote this aspect for tourists, we run the risk of losing our unique selling point and could significantly reduce our international appeal as a consequence. There is an emerging trend that domestic and international tourists alike are looking to visit these locations and experience a truly organic and authentic holiday, and this is something that the Clare Tourism Forum is keen to promote locally, nationally and internationally. We look forward to continuing to include the Loop Head Peninsula in our promotional campaigns and ensuring that tour operators in particular are made aware of its unique tourism offering,” Ms. Gregson concluded.
