This article is from page 20 of the 2012-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
GREATER efforts must be made to promote Clare to the “untapped market” of US military personnel passing through Shannon Airport.
That’s according to Newmarket on Fergus councillor Pat McMahon who said yesterday that it is “economically criminal” that no dedicated marketing strategy is in place to promote tourist attractions to the thousands of American soldiers that use the airport.
In a motion at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr McMahon (FF) called for Shannon Airport to work more closely with tourism providers to market the banner county to US military personnel.
In his reply, Director of Services Ger Dollard said the Clare Tourism Forum had previously identified the opportunity to market Clare.
He explained, “Some elements have already been identified and these include an agreement for playing Clare ‘Live the Life’ DVD in four key locations around Shannon Airport: public restaurant (1), British Airways Lounge (1) and baggage reclaim area (2).
Mr Dollard stated that the forum is currently updating signage and bill – boards that promote Clare in the airport. He added, “Proposals are being discussed to include brochures and brochure stands in the departures area of the airport that will be filled with information / brochures on County Clare. This would be targeted primarily at military personnel.”
Mr Dollard continued, “It is recognised that a marketing opportunity does exist in terms of time period during which military personnel are located in the departures area. The Clare Tourism Forum will continue to work with Shannon Airport to promote the county in the best manner possible to this target group.”
He said that the council is also working with Shannon Development in relation to the Tourism Information Office, which has been relocated at the airport.
Mr Dollard told yesterday’s council meeting that a lot more could be done to market the Clare in the airport.
Commenting on plans to distribute the Clare Live the Life promotional DVD in the airport, Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) suggested that it be presented in a postcard to military personnel.
He said this would boost the “in timate circulation” of the DVD in homes around America. “We would be hitting a market that we are not hitting,” he added.