Hookcompany promotesour coastalgem
A NEW company which promotes the Hook Peninsula was launched recently by a New Ross man who is using social media and marketing experience to attract more and more people to the area.
Patrick Kent, who has over 30 years of business experience between running restaurants and nightclubs across Ireland, founded the Fellowship of the Ring of Hook and Guiding Light marketing company as he wasn’t convinced that Fáilte Ireland’s Ancient East initiative would be a great driver for tourism across the region. Mr Kent said: ‘I talked to Visit Wexford and Wexford Local Development and came up with the name. I wanted to make it quirky, playing on the Lord of the Rings. I’m using social media platforms and want to bring this as far as it can go. The Fellowship is about marketing, staff training and hospitality.’
Deputy James Browne, Dr Kevin Whelan and Colm Neville joined a crowd at the launch of the Fellowship of the Ring of Hook at the Dunbrody Visitor Centre in September, at which the Guiding Light marketing agency for businesses throughout the Hook Peninsula was also launched.
Mr Kent said: ‘If you Google tourist attractions in Ireland we don’t come up anywhere. Our cam- paign is powered by social media and businesses can get involved through different ways. There are platinum, gold and silver packages. It costs €150 for the first six months for silver, €1,000 for gold and platinum is open for negotiation. It’s getting huge support.’
Mr Kent plans to have two mobile units branded with Guiding Light and the Fellowship of the Ring of Hook marketing the area at events and tourism shows. ‘People will be able to sign up and their details will be included in our brochures. The SUV units will be on tour over summer months and festivals. I am involved in this for the past two years. We will have two staff in the Hook. Two offices are planned, one in New Ross and one in the Hook and I hope to get support from Wexford Local Development and Wexford County Council. We will have a phone line from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the summer months and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the in the months for people looking for information about anywhere on the Hook if they can’t get it from the webiste. The Hook Peninsula is the jewel in the crown of the east coast and it needs to be promoted more.’
Anyone who likes the Fellowship Facebook page will be given discounts at eateries and venues across the peninsula and it is planned to provide members with bank cards.