19th National Tourism Conference To Be Addressed By Ryanair Chief and PSNI Chief Constable

The Clare Tourist Council - in conjunction with Clare County Council - has organised the 19th National Tourism Conference for tourism industry officials and members of Local Authorities, County Enterprise Boards, partnerships, and all public and private bodies involved in the promotion of tourism.

Delegates from all over the island of Ireland are scheduled to attend the event, including representatives of leading tourism promotional agencies such as Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, Shannon Development, Shannon Heritage and the Clare Tourism Forum.

According to Cllr. Flan Garvey, Conference Chairperson and Cathaoirleach of the Clare Tourist Council, the presence of Michael O'Leary and Sir Hugh Orde will contribute greatly to the event's profile.

He continued, "Mr. O'Leary's eagerly anticipated keynote speech today comes at a time when the West of Ireland faces losing its strategically important link with Heathrow, as a result of Aer Lingus's recent decision to remove the service from Shannon. The Ryanair Chief Executive's decision to address the event shows that he is concerned about the move and the importance of maintaining permanent and quality connectivity with international hubs."

"During his talk, entitled 'Options and Opportunities for Changing Lifestyle', Mr. O'Leary will refer to Ryanair's commitment to developing further business at Shannon. His speech also coincides with the launch of the airline's new daily Shannon to Dublin service", added the Cathaoirleach.

Commenting ahead of Sir Hugh Orde's speech as special guest at the Conference Banquet tomorrow night, Cllr. Garvey said that the all-island cross party support for the conference had stemmed the interest of the PSNI Chief Constable.

"For almost two decades this event has attracted tourism representatives from all over Ireland to Ennistymon to share their views on the best way forward for the sector. All political parties, including Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, have also participated in the event in the best interests of developing tourism. I am glad to see that Sir Hugh Orde recognises this fact and I look forward to his address to delegates tomorrow evening", he stated.

Other speakers scheduled to address the conference, entitled 'Tourism for Changing Lifestyles', include Joe Horan, County Manager, South Dublin County Council (Business Tourism – The Role of the Local Authority); Marie Slattery, Sales and Marketing Manager, Shannon Heritage (The Challenge of Change); Iain Frazer, Acting Chief Executive, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council (Tourism – A Natural Resource); Michael Vaughan, Irish Hotel's Federation and Vaughan’s Lodge (Lifestyle Matchmaking – Finding the Perfect Fit); and Mayor Alderman David Hilditch MLA, Carrickfergus Borough Council (Carrickfergus – Conversion of Industrial Docks to Leisure and Tourism). Meanwhile, Ms. Mary Owens, Fáilte Ireland's Manager of Education Policy, will discuss the role played by education and training in supporting the future development of Irish tourism.

Alderman PJ McAvoy of Ballymena Borough Council, Alderman Frank Campbell of Ballymoney Borough Council; and Cllr. Michael McCarey of Cavan County Council will chair the Conference sessions.

The Clare Tourist Council hosted its first national tourism conference, titled 'The Tourism Explosion - Implications for Ireland', in 1989. Subsequent conferences have addressed a wide range of tourism issues like 'Tourism for the '90s', 'Tourism & the Environment', 'Let Tourism work for You', 'Keeping up with Changing Times', 'The Role Played by Local Authorities in Tourism', 'Positioning Tourism - Quality or Price" and "Promoting Co-operative Tourism Marketing".

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Cllr. Flan Garvey, Conference Chairperson and Cathaoirleach of the Clare Tourist Council is available for interview and further comment (086-8109449)
- A list of speakers/times may be downloaded from http://www.dunphypr.com
- Photograph opportunities can be arranged by contacting Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on (mobile) 086-8534900 or (email) media@dunphypr.com. Tabhair faoi deara gur féidir agallaimh trí Ghaeilge a eagrú.
- Directions to Falls Hotel Spa Resort from Galway - Take the N18 Going South. At Kilcolgan, approximately 15kms from Galway turn right and follow signs to Ennistymon (Approximately 40kms). Once in Ennistymon, take the first turn right. Directions to Falls Hotel Spa Resort from Limerick/Shannon Airport - Take the N18 North to Ennis. In Ennis, take the first exit off the main Limerick/Galway round a bout (N85), heading for Lahinch. After approximately 20kms, you will arrive into Ennistymon; take the second left for the Falls Hotel.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)