STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Submissions Invited for new Tourism Marketing and Development Plan for County Westmeath

By James Donlon, January 25, 2007

An exciting new initiative in the tourism sector in County Westmeath is underway, through the recent commissioning of a new Tourism Marketing and Development Plan, which aims to define a strategic approach for tourism in the county over the next five years. The Plan has been commissioned by Westmeath Tourism Council, the main tourism promotion organisation in the county and will be undertaken by WESTBIC, with the support of Westmeath Tourism Members and stakeholders in the wider community.

Tourism plays a very important role in the economic life of Westmeath, and it is well recognised that the overall industry can make a significant contribution to the socio-economic development and well-being of the region, including the local population and those living in rural areas.

Speaking about the new plan, Rhona Rogers, Marketing Officer of Westmeath Tourism stated that “ this strategic plan will act as a vital means to coordinate the efforts of trade and local agencies to build a viable image of Westmeath as a tourist destination and to focus on developments for the future of tourism in the county.”

Westmeath Tourism Council (WTC) and WESTBIC, who will undertake the assignment to put together the five-year Marketing and Development Plan for Tourism in Westmeath, will address the potential that exists within the county for the industry to achieve sustainable growth into the future. Strategic emphasis will be placed on increasing the volumes of visitors to the county through the development of quality products and new and innovative marketing approaches that will ultimately provide the most sustainable long-term returns.

In assessing the tourism potential of the region, James Donlon, WESTBIC Regional Manager, stated that WESTBIC are delighted to have the opportunity to assist Westmeath Tourism to develop an new innovative plan to promote tourism in the region. “Given the strategic location of the county and current tourism trends, there are many opportunities for new developments in the marketing and promotion of the region and in particular developing an appropriate tourism product aimed at identified target markets, so that service providers and the wider region can benefit from one of our most important industry sectors. Whilst it is recognised that Westmeath does not benefit as much as other established tourism hotspots, these is significant scope to address this situation through new and innovative approaches, with the support of all tourism providers and stakeholders and with a strong emphasis on networking”.

Participants required for focus group workshops
The consultation process will be open to all Tourism Members, tourism providers, stakeholders and other interested parties who wish to have an input into the plan. In particular, the consultations will include focus group workshops representing relevant tourism categories, including Accommodation, Attractions, Activities, Festivals, Art/Craft and Food Tourism.

These workshops will take place at selected venues throughout the county in late January and early February. Those wishing to participate in these important workshops should contact Mike Ward at WESTBIC, Enterprise Centre, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, tel 090 6625196 or e-mail mward@westbic.ie, to ensure participation.

Submissions invited from interested stakeholders
Additionally submissions are invited from those interested in making a positive contribution to the development of the new tourism plan for the county. This will provide a further opportunity for all tourism and related businesses and stakeholders to provide inputs into the current planning process for tourism in the county.

Submissions should be forwarded to WESTBIC, marked ‘Westmeath Tourism Plan’ WESTBIC, Enterprise Centre, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, or e-mailed to mward@westbic.ie by Friday 16th February.

The new plan will build in the progress already made by Westmeath Tourism Council in developing and promoting tourism in the county. Westmeath Tourism Council, the main tourism promotion organisation in the county, is a voluntary body comprising of Tourism Operators in Westmeath. Formed in 1988 to promote local tourist attractions, accommodation, activities, festivals and events in the Westmeath area, membership is open to persons or organisations involved in tourism in the county. Since 1995, the Tourism Council has engaged a full time Marketing Executive and has office space based at the LEADER offices in Mullingar. The Marketing Executive has greatly enhanced tourism promotion for the county through a range of marketing initiatives and attendance at selected tourism events.

Westmeath Tourism Council has produced a wide range of brochures for the county as well as maintaining their web site www.westmeathtourism.com.

Westmeath Tourism Council is supported by the local tourism industry, Westmeath Co. Council and Westmeath Community Development Ltd (through the LEADER Programme).

All submissions, and queries relating to this new tourism initiative for County Westmeath should be addressed to WESTBIC at Enterprise Centre, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, tel 090 6625196 or e-mail mward@westbic.ie.