Tourism Alliance revives annual networking event

THE Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance will host a networking event this afternoon ( Wednesday), reviving an event that was previously a regular feature of the tourism calendar, providing businesses with an opportunity to share brochures and stay up to date with activities on the peninsula.

With almost 200 members, the Tourism Alliance represents the majority of tourism businesses on the peninsula. Through a combination of parttime and voluntary work, the Alliance designs and implements strategies, laying out a roadmap for the continued success of the area as a tourist destination. At the networking event their strategy and how members can play a part will be laid out.

Promoting Corca Dhuibhne as a holiday destination rather than a place where people spend one night will benefit all businesses, according to Tourism Alliance Marketing Consultant Caroline Boland. “No matter where people get their bookings from, booking.com or hotels.com or Air Bnb. we still need the destination promoted,” she said

The recent launch of the Dingle Peninsula brand logo is the first major step in this strategy and at the networking event the marketing tools that are available for businesses to include on their own websites and printed material will be explained.

The Alliance use social media platforms to get the message out about the benefits of holidaying in West Kerry. Orla Breslin will explain their strategy and how the use of #dinglepeninsula in social media posts can increase the overall impact.

Initiatives such as the peninsula art and craft trail as well as the three driving routes – the Sliabh Mish Drive, the Gold Coast and Conor Pass Drive and the very popular Slea Head and Brandon Creek. will also be discussed as well as the Marine Tourism Plan.

Members are asked to bring along their cards and promotional material to distribute at the networking event, which starts at 2pm and runs until 5pm in the Skellig Hotel.