As part of Shannon Development’s €2 million trail blazing initiative announced last year to enhance the Shannon Region’s reputation as a world-class destination for walking, cycling, water-based and other outdoor activity pursuits, the Company is offering tourism accommodation providers around the Shannon Region an opportunity to participate in an extensive international web based marketing campaign which they will be undertaking in the coming months.
The Company would like accommodations providers who already provide, or are interested in promoting themselves as a location for people to enjoy activities holidays to sign up to a new trail-friendly charter.
“We know from international research carried out on tourism trends in the adventure holiday sector, that there is enormous potential in the high spend walking, cycling, water-based trail holiday markets. Just looking at walking and cycling as examples, over 335,000 overseas visitors participate in walking holidays in Ireland annually and spend approx. €228 million, and almost 80,000 overseas cyclists holiday in Ireland and spend over €80 million annually. If we are to exploit this growing market then we need to ensure that we have the services which customers demand. This is why we have initiated the trail-friendly charter, which has the potential to attract additional visitors to less developed areas of our Region. We hope that accommodation providers around the Region including hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, town and country homes, caravan and camping sites and hostels, will participate in this important initiative,” says Flan Quilligan, Tourism Product Development Executive, Shannon Development.
The trail-friendly accommodation initiative is being introduced on a pilot basis by Shannon Development who are contacting a small number of existing accommodation providers across the Shannon Region who already provide some, if not all, of the necessary trail-friendly services that will create a memorable experience for consumers.
Shannon Development plans to extend the trail-friendly accommodation initiative to all existing and new accommodation providers throughout the region in the coming weeks. As part of this programme Shannon Development is currently developing a dedicated trails website which will include information regarding trail-friendly accommodation providers. This website will be used as extensively an international marketing tool with a range of e-marketing campaigns designed around it.
To be considered for inclusion on the Shannon Region Trails website which is free of charge to participating ‘trail-friendly’ accommodation, each provider is required to supply a minimum number of added services on a permanent basis. These include offering a genuine friendly welcome, and a commitment to providing other necessary services and facilities to meet the needs of trail users. Each successful participant will be eligible to attend a special Failte Ireland Adventure Training Programme.
Pictured at the O'Briensbridge Loop Walks in Co. Clare are: from left: John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Development; Brendan Lynch, Tourism Product and innovation Manger, Shannon Development; Flan Quilligan, Tourism Projects Executive, Shannon Development; and Kevin Thompstone, Chief Executive, Shannon Development.
For further details please contact: Melissa Buckley at 061-710454 buckleym@shannondevelopment.ie or download a trail-friendly application form below.
Information Form
Information Sheet on Trail-Friendly Accommodation
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903