This article is from page 12 of the 2012-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
THE Cliffs of Moher recorded a massive return to form last year with the number visiting Clare foremost tourist attract jumping by a massive 12 per cent from the 2010 numbers.
The total number of people to visit the Cliffs of Moher in 2011 was 809,474 – which almost returns the landmark tourist attraction to its prerecession visitor numbers. These figures will cements the Cliffs position as Ireland’s third most popular tourist attraction and should also should also give it a chance of passing out the Guinness Store House in second place.
The news was welcomed by Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience, Katherine Webster, who also said that tourism in Ireland has a number of challenges still facing it for 2012 – including Ireland qualifications for Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine.
“We are taking a cautious outlook for 2012 due to the global economic turmoil. Improvements in exchange rates for the US dollar and sterling are the only positives for tourism in the difficulties that the Eurozone is currently experiencing,” she said.
“However, economic uncertainty in major tourist markets like the UK, France, Spain, Italy and even the US will impact tourism numbers from these countries.
“In June Ireland’s qualification for Euro 2012, while great news for the country, is less positive for domestic and European tourism as typically visitors whose countries are competing in major championships like the European Cup or the World Cup tend to stay home to watch the matches unless they are travelling to support their teams.
“We are hoping for some positive spin off from the London Olympics at end of July as tourists may stay away from London during this period and Ireland may benefit especially if exchange rates remain low.”
According to the preliminary 2011 visitors figures for the Cliffs of Moher, visitor number broke the 800,000 on December before finishing on 809,474. This figure represent a 12 per cent year-on-year increase on the 2010 figures and a six per cent increase on the 2009.
The majority of the recovery was recorded during the summer and late autumn and was driven largely by an increase in Irish people deciding to holiday at home.