This article is from page 10 of the 2013-10-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
TOURISM and business interests from along the western corridor from Limerick as far as Galway hailed the announced of eight new Ryanair routes out of Shannon to begin in 2014 as a huge boost to the west of Ireland.
The four chambers of commerce along the Atlantic Technology Corridor – Ennis, Limerick, Galway and Shannon – have said the new routes that will operational in April 2014 represent a huge shot in the arm to nearly 1,500 business in the catchment area. “The increased frequency to Lon don Stansted and the additional destinations offered to Central and Eastern Europe will greatly benefit the 1,355 businesses which form the membership of the four Chambers, and the 45,700 people employed by them,” they said. “Shannon Airport is the critical gateway to west and eastbound business and tourist traffic, which feeds the growth of so many businesses in this part of the west of Ireland. The four Chambers therefore regard Shannon as the airport for business in their sphere of influence. “Ryanair has demonstrated its be- lief in and commitment to Shannon; the onus is now on all stakeholders along the west coast to ensure that economical load levels are attained. Full aircraft demonstrate demand, and increased demand will lead to additional capacity being delivered in the future.”
Meanwhile, the Clare Tourism Forum has said the Ryanair expansion will help to sustain thousands of jobs in the local tourism and hospitality sector.
“The provision of direct services to French and German destinations in particular is a significant moment,” said forum chairperson Donnagh Gregson, “not only for Shannon Air port but tourism in this region as it will enable operators here to capitalise on the recent growth we have seen in the number of continental tourists visiting the county.
“Furthermore, this announcement will help to sustain existing jobs and create new opportunities for development amongst tourism operators in the wider region.
Ms Gregson confirmed that the Forum would now begin to refocus its marketing efforts to ensure that the new markets being opened up by Ryanair are targeted in the coming months. “Our members are particularly de lighted with the addition of services to Paris, Nice, Berlin and Munich which are key markets for the local tourism sector. “The commencement of these new routes in April 2014 will complement a comprehensive schedule of transatlantic services next year, which bodes well for tourism in County Clare and the west of Ireland. We are committed to supporting Shannon Airport by promoting all of these routes as well as playing our part in attracting additional routes and airline operators to the airport in the coming months and years,” she added.