Council told Louth not ignored by tourism campaign
Failte Ireland have responded to concerns that Louth was being ‘ignored’ in the Ireland’s Ancient East campaign.
County Councillor Liam Reilly had raised the issue about the campaign, and how he felt it had omitted to promote the many tourist attractions within Louth.
But in response to the Councillor, Ruairi Deane, the programme manager for the Ireland’s Ancient East said:
‘As you are aware, Fåilte Ireland launched the Ireland’s Ancient East experience brand in April 2015 to raise the profile of the history and heritage in the East and South of the country and to date we have had very positive responses to the campaign.
We appreciate the initial enthusiasm that you, and Louth tourism businesses, have. shown for Ireland’s Ancient East and would like to reassure you that Fåilte Ireland is just as enthusiastic about Louth’s successful inclusion in the brand.’
He went on to explain that the tourism authority recently launched a comprehensive and extensive national marketing campaign which is being run across a number of print, television, and online channels to create awareness of the brand and to encourage people to consider Ireland’s Ancient East for their next break.
‘ This campaign has been devised to ensure equity throughout Ireland’s Ancient East and to ensure each area has opportunity to grow its market share which means that it is not possible for all signature stories or attractions to feature heavily in all marketing material,’ said Mr. Dean.
He said he hoped to ‘allay the concerns raised regarding County Louth and provide reassurance that there is substantial tourism investment going into the county.’
‘ To maximise the opportunity provided by Ireland’s Ancient East however, we need to make the most of our partnership. We would be keen to explore any other ideas that Louth County Council or tourism trade might have to grow the brand in Couth and deeply embed it into the county’s tourism offering. If tourism stakeholders in the county have proposals or ideas we would be delighted to explore them further.’