Childhood memories evoked in new Visit Wexford campaign
WITH holidaymakers being encouraged to spend the summer of 2020 on home soil, Visit Wexford has launched a new campaign which asks Irish people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep and have fun while doing it.
Created in partnership with Wexford County Council and the hospitality and tourism industry across the county, the campaign emphasises the nostalgic element of holidaying in Wexford and of reliving the memories of youth with family, partners and friends.
While stressing the importance of following Government guidelines, the Chair of Visit Wexford, Colm Neville, said the county was ready to welcome tourists from all over Ireland.
‘Wexford is ready to welcome visitors from across Ireland for their staycation holiday to the sunny south east,’ said Mr Neville, who also owns the Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy.
With cycling and walking trails, stunning beaches as well as iconic heritage and garden sites, the county boasts an extensive list of outdoor attractions to suit all interests.
‘Our tourism industry appreciates how important the safety of their guests and teams alike is and they have been working together with Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland and health and safety representatives to make sure County Wexford is adhering to the National Covid-19 Safety Charter,’ said Mr Neville.
Attending the campaign launch at Curracloe Beach Tony Larkin, Director of Services for Economic Development of Wexford County Council and member of the National Tourism Recovery Sub Group, said he was ‘delighted that Wexford County Council could support the tourism industry to drive the economic recovery with this extremely important, well timed and creative Visit Wexford marketing campaign.’
Uniquely placed to discuss the potential pitfalls facing the hospitality sector this summer, Mr Neville said life at the Riverside had returned to some semblance of normality since its reopening last month.
‘ The bookings are coming in, it won’t be like other years, but people do want to visit us,’ he said. ‘We’re lucky to be so popular in Wexford and there will be business to be done, maybe not like other years, but there will be business to be done.
‘ There’s an onus on all of us as business owners that we tell people to come, but in a safe way. The smile and the hospitality will be as warm as ever but it will be slightly different; kids are going to have stay under parental control at the tables.
‘It behooves businesses not to let people get too inebriated or exuberant during their holidays and to remind them there’s a serious pandemic upon us and we’ve got to live with that.’
Wexford is the fifth most popular county for those holidaying at home in Ireland, behind Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kerry, and Mr Neville said that many of those who come here leave without managing to see all it has to offer.
‘ There’s so many things to come and see and do, when families come to stay with us in the Riverside, even if it’s for four or five days, what I constantly hear is they didn’t get around to doing everything they wanted to do.’
The Visit Wexford website (visitwexford. ie) has over 350 accommodations, attractions, and food and nightlife spots listed. The website features different types of accommodation, from guesthouses and hotels to mobile homes, camp sites, and self-catering, along with cafés and delis, restaurants and pubs as well as all the attractions and activities to experience and enjoy.
It also has a tool to help people plan and save their holiday itinerary and log in later to view and use while in Wexford. It also lists some inside tips and a calendar of upcoming events to help people discover and plan their staycation. The team at Visit Wexford would like to remind all holiday makers to follow the national safety guidelines set by the HSE and advise people that many attractions and hospitality spots now have pre-booking facilities in operation to manage visiting numbers.