Tourism sources in Waterford were fuming this weekend at the fact that the city of Waterford has been omitted from the map used and promoted by the ‘Meet in Ireland’ website which is the official brand and website for the Ireland of Ireland as compiled by the three official tourism authorities, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Like the offensive maps that are often used by some weather forecasters on television, the official site shows all the other four main cities but there is no sign of Waterford.
Wouldn’t be the first time this has happened with the good folks in Failte Ireland. Thank god for private tourism promoters. “Fragmentation” – clearly not Failte Ireland, clearly not.
Same old story but let’s face facts: Most people outside of here don’t care about Waterford. Heard it being called “a sh*t factory town” several times on my travels.
Fáilte Ireland Commitment to Waterford Unquestionable
By Gary Breen, Head of Operations Fáilte Ireland in the South East
Despite some misunderstanding in some quarters, as evidenced by recent comments by the Waterford Chamber of Commerce in particular, Fáilte Ireland’s commitment to Waterford has never been stronger.
Our key focus for the South East region in 2011 will be to maximize the ongoing investment in heritage and culture infrastructure that is taking place across the region. Fáilte Ireland will be working very proactively with tourism businesses across the destination to exploit all and any opportunities to develop unique holiday experiences that will meet the needs of our overseas visitors.
For example, we have recently invested €9m in the Viking Triangle, in the historic center of Waterford and this is currently being developed by Waterford City Council. When completed, the area will offer a mix of heritage and cultural attractions interspersed with specialist shops, cafes and open-air communal areas. Our funding will especially go towards the development of a Viking Museum in Reginald’s Tower, a Modern Museum in the refurbished Bishop’s Palace, a new Medieval Museum and other public enhancements.
We will also be using key festivals to promote Waterford in 2011 – the year which will see the Tall Ships Race make its return visit to Waterford. Hailed as one of the world’s greatest spectacles it is anticipated that some 500,000 people will visit Waterford during the 3 day Tall Ships festival – the business effects of which will be felt throughout the region. An event of this caliber will build on the reputation of the South East region as a ‘happening’ destination. We will be investing €600,000 to promote this flagship festival.
Furthermore in 2011, Fáilte Ireland will be supporting 25 other events throughout the South east including, the Waterford Spraoi, the Waterford Harvest Festival, the Immrama Travel Writers Festival, The Kilkenny Arts Festival, The Kilkenny Cat Laughs, The Carlow Floral Trail, the Clonmel Junction, and the Wexford Opera Festival. All of these events bring money and visitors into the South East.
We are also working to help and support individual tourism businesses. During 2010, over 1,700 members of the tourism sector in the South East region received training in areas such as Web Check, Web Skills, Social Media and Marketing. In addition, several sector specific programmes were delivered to industry members in the areas of Food Management and Menu Costing, Customer Service and Front Office. Fáilte Ireland is placing increased focus on skills development throughout 2011 in order to ensure the tourism industry in the South East is fully equipped to sustain and grow their business in the current environment.
Finally, with regard to Waterford Chamber of Commerce’s comments regarding the absence of Waterford from Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Meet in Ireland’ International Conference and Incentive Business website, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the true state of play in this matter.
The ‘Meet in Ireland’ website is focused on the international conference and incentive market place which is a highly specialist market and, broadly speaking, to be competitive in this market a destination needs to possess some basic fundamental infrastructure. This includes criteria such as a critical mass of 4 and 5 star hotel rooms, commensurate conference and break out facilities, a large gala dinner venue, an international airport serviced by jet aircraft (within an hour +or- drive) and a trade association/conference bureau.
Waterford is not yet featured on the site as no approach has been made to us in Fáilte Ireland by an either an individual enterprise or a trade association in Waterford expressing an ambition to compete in this specialist market.
I can assure readers of the Munster Express that, if such an approach were to be made and the forming of a business tourism trade association proposed, we would only be too happy to work with any such group to assess the market potential of the area and prepare the group and destination for competing in this particular market. Then, Waterford would naturally feature on the ‘Meet in Ireland’ website.
Fáilte Ireland is fully committed to tapping the full tourism potential of Waterford and the South East. To successfully do so, we work hand in glove with the local tourism industry and other interests. In this the year of the Tall Ships, would ask our colleagues in the Chamber of Commerce to get and board and work with us on solutions. It is only by working together that this country will recover from its current predicament.
ENDS
“A sh*t factory town”
Let’s face it the only reason this country is known is because of the crystal factory more so than anything we have here.
To hell with the rest of the country when the factory was here people came to visit I know I worked there from every day people to the VIP’s hell when leaving the blowing rooms and such they would pick up little bits of glass to bring home.
But thanks to the goverment we lost it to scalp hunters making an easy profit.
So it’s no surprise to me that the rest of the country forget us on maps but as far as I am concerned they should thank us.
Do you really feel that Syria spying on dissidents?