This week saw the official unveiling of a new plan to launch Athlone town and the Lakelands area as a major tourist destination for both national and international tourists.
The Athlone, Lough Ree and Environs Tourism Destination Development Plan was launched by Damien Brennan of Fáilte Ireland this week. He explained that Fáilte Ireland’s plan was to “elevate the Midlands into a tourist destination”.
Fáilte Ireland brought in the services of the Ipsos MRBI, the market research agency, last December to identify Athlone’s potential as a tourist hub as well as researching current perceptions towards the town. The survey interviewed 1,000 people, who made up a representative sample of adults aged 15 plus within the Republic of Ireland. Out of a competitive set of destinations, including Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, Westport, Kinsale, and Carrick-on-Shannon, one in five surveyed had visited Athlone and would consider visiting it again in the future. The survey discovered that people mainly visited the town to see family and friends, go on shopping trips, and for business meetings. However, according to the MRBI poll, the town is not known for its good nightlife, being good value for money, having cultural or historical significance, or interesting scenery.
According to Susan Rowe of Ipsos MRBI there is scope for more visitors to the town with seven in 10 surveyed likely to take a short break or holiday in Ireland over the next 12 months. To get people into the town Athlone needs to become synonymous with good value, quality accommodation, special offers, family activities and a good night life, and culture.
“Athlone has all the ingredients, we just need to educate people,” said Mr Brennan
The steering group believes that education and promotion is the key to making Athlone a major tourist destination in the Lakelands. “We have a really convenient location but no appeal as many believe there’s nothing to do here. It’s a hard task, and there is a lot of competition but we need to make Athlone more appealing,” said Mr Brennan.
Fáilte Ireland has several plans in place to help attract tourists to the region including the redevelopment of Athlone Castle, a new walking trail in Portlick, and proper signage in and out of the town. A customer care week will also run throughout the town from May 16 to help educate employees in the area learn more about Athlone. There will also be networking events for those in the tourist and hospitality industries, and a chef refresher course.
“This is something that is very real, this is our daily work,” concluded Mr Brennan of Fáilte Ireland. “We’re here to make a difference.”
