Royals TO VISIT THE REAL KINGDOM...

A BRITISH Royal visit to the Kingdom is on the cards and it promises to be an historic occasion for all locations linked with the visit. The south west has plenty going for it, so it’s little wonder Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles have decided to take in the region as part their trip to Ireland.

The Lakes of Killarney, the rolling hills and mountains of south Kerry, and the beauty and historic depth that Tralee offers will be at their best when the heir to the British throne arrives here in mid-June. This is also a wonderful opportunity for people to twin the pageantry of a Royal visit with the beautiful scenery Kerry and Cork has to offer. People are already preparing to travel in sync with the Royals which will have a beneficial knock-on for tourism.

Muckross House, Kenmare, The Rose Garden, and Siamsa Tire are all earmarked for a visit. But it’s only when the Royals have departed again that these locations can expect a surge in visitor numbers. History has shown that locations visited by Royals in the past usually receive a positive boost as people like to retrace the steps of the Royal couple.

Niamh O’Shea is Chairperson of the Irish Hotel Federation and she said the visit is a lovely way of reconnecting the last official Royal visit of Queen Victoria.

“This is a fantastic thing for Kerry. Killarney is a place that has welcomed visitors for well over a hundred years and in many ways it all started with Queen Victoria’s visit. A Royal visit would certainly close that circle for us,” she said.

Also speaking about the visit is Ken Tobin of Tralee Chamber Alliance who said Tralee is ready to welcome the Royal couple as it would attract the world’s media attention to Tralee.

“This would shine a light on Tralee and would present a major opportunity for Tralee to showcase itself,” Ken said. “Particularly from a tourism aspect it would be a major ‘feather in the cap’ for Tralee. I think the town will rally behind this as it’s a great chance for us to show Tralee in a positive light. I know that a lot of work is being planned by the local authority and local businesses to present the town in the best way possible,” Ken added

The visit reflects the great strides that have been made in the south west when it comes to tourism over the years. Investment, coordination and marketing have all produced a dividend for tourism with the Wild Atlantic Way having put the south west on the map. There is no doubt that all of the above would have been a factor at Kensington Palace when the visit was being planned. The scene is now set and let’s hope the weather is kind and showcases all that’s great about Kerry and Cork tourism.