Mayo tourism finalists shining example to industry
Minister of State Michael Ring presented three tourism businesses with a judges' special citation at the first ever Irish Tourism Industry Awards 2015 in the Doubletree Hilton, Dublin, to celebrate the inaugural national scheme to identify those who are making a major difference in the tourism industry.
The awards were designed with the intention of rewarding innovation in tourism, significant initiatives at home and overseas, and the best examples of improvement to the tourism experience.
Four Mayo finalists were recognised for their contribution to the tourism industry and made it to the final from a very strong field of over 330 entries. They were:
Erris Beo for 'Best Adventure Experience': Erris Beo (set up in 2009) is a community, non-profit organisation, which is responsible for marketing and promoting the entire region of Erris. The committee are committed to developing the region in relation to adventure tourism, in a sustainable and responsible manner. Tourism has improved so much that at least four new tourism-related businesses have opened up in the last two years, and at least one more will be opened later this year.
Bike Buffet – Westport Smarter Travel for 'Best Food Experience': In 2014 the Westport Smarter Travel team developed the Bike Buffet, a cycling tour of Westport stopping off at four dining venues along the route. Nine buffets on and nearly 1,000 people have participated in this innovative event. The Bike Buffet is the first of its kind in Westport and Ireland.
Mayo County Council for 'Best Local Authority Tourism Innovation': The development of Westport into a popular cosmopolitan holiday destination has been achieved through generations of enthusiastic and friendly people who take great pride in the town. The success story of Westport as a tourism destination is largely attributed to the planning and execution by the West Mayo Municipal District (WMMD), formerly Westport Town Council. WMMD invests substantially in the local tourism industry.
Spirit of Place Discovery Points – Mayo County Council for 'Best Design in Tourism': The Wild Atlantic Way has been a tremendous success in Mayo and the level of increase in visitor numbers is very measurable in Downpatrick Head and on Inisturk Island.
In its first year of operation (2014) the Inisturk Discovery Point has welcomed 9,001 visitors. Surveys carried out randomly by Mayo County Council at the site indicate that 24 per cent of visitors are from overseas – a remarkable result for a rural location. The Signature Discovery Point at Downpatrick Head opened in July 2014 and has received approximately 11,000 visitors. It is anticipated that this attraction will attract in the order of 20,000 visitors in 2015.
Both Discovery Points have provided the tourism infrastructure necessary to showcase best the natural features of the Irish landscapes and have provided a platform off which local enterprises can grow and thrive in the years ahead.
The awards were organised by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) along with ITIC’s industry members, Fáilte Ireland, and Tourism Ireland and adjudication was carried out by an independent panel of experts.