This article is from page 16 of the 2014-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE company behind some of the Mid West’s biggest tourism attractions is to undergo a “strategic review”, it has been announced.
Consultants are being sought to carry out a review of Shannon Heritage, the company that operates attractions such as the Bunratty Castle Folk Park and King John’s Castle in Limerick.
According to a tender notice posted by Shannon Development, “This review will analyse all aspects of the current portfolio and inform the future strategic direction of the business”.
Shannon Heritage employs close to 300 people during the height of the tourist season.
Shannon Development is currently in transition to become part of Shannon Group plc – an umbrella group comprising Shannon Airport, Shannon Development, Shannon Heritage and the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC).
“To emphasise a more commercially focused property remit, Shannon Development will soon be renamed Shannon Commercial Enterprises Ltd, trading as Shannon Enterprises.
“Shannon Development is focused on delivering competitive property solutions to our customers”, states the company profile.
The company operates from Shannon Airport.
Shannon Heritage is one of the largest operators of heritage products in Europe. It manages a portfolio of seven day visitor experiences and four evening entertainments in Clare, Limerick, Galway and Dublin.
Figures released last year to mark the 50th anniversary of the medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, stated that Shannon Heritage’s mediaeval banqueting operation contributes to an estimated € 20 million in spin-off revenue annually to the local economy.
It was estimated that over the past 50 years, Shannon Heritage day visitor attractions and evening entertainments have attracted almost 20 million visitors from all over the world.
Shannon Heritage is one of the largest and longest operating tourism companies of its type in Ireland employing almost 300 people at the height of the season.
The company also oversaw the € 4.7 million revamp of tourism facilities at King John’s Castle in Limerick city.
According to figures released last year by Shannon Heritage, over 40,000 people visited the re-vamped King John’s Castle during the first four months of opening in 2013.