This article is from page 103 of the 2008-09-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 103 JPG
TANAISTE Mary Coughlan has launched a new tourism website as part of a €2 million Shannon De- velopment initiative aimed at es- tablishing the Shannon Region as a world-class destination for walking, cycling, water-based and other out- door activity pursuits.
The €2 million support package is to encourage product promoters develop new and upgrade existing activity trails. The new website pro- vides information including detailed directions and maps for trails, such as walking, cycling, mountain bik- ing, equestrian, canoeing, surfing, scuba diving available around Clare and the Shannon Region.
Visitors to the www.shannonre- giontrails.ie website can download detailed walking and cycling maps. It provides contact details for trail- friendly accommodation providers and activity operators, as well as outlining the benefits of trails, and events listings.
The programme involves branding
a network of trails to highest inter- national standards. Other initiatives include two new brochures on surf- ing and canoeing.
Launching the website, Munister
Coughlan said it had the potential to generate additional visitor spend in less developed rural areas. Shan- non was always at the forefront of tourism product development and
the website would be a tremendous resource.
“Many of the new trails require access to the countryside and this would not be possible without the
support and good will of landown- ers and this co-operation must be ac- knowledged”, the Tanaiste said.
Shannon Development Tourism Di- rector John King said over 511,000 overseas visitors participate in walk- ing holidays in Ireland and spend almost €340 million each year and almost 102,000 cyclists holiday here and spend almost €80 million.
“The website provides operators with an opportunity to participate in international web based market- ing campaigns. We have already implemented a branding system and launched a trail-friendly accommo- dation initiative earlier in 2008 and we will continue to work with vari- ous groups to upgrade existing trails and develop new ones,’ said Flan Quilligan, Shannon Development Tourism Project Executive.