NEW CHAMBER PRESIDENT
NEW Chamber President Fiona Candon has wondered why tourism figures have remained unchanged in the North West for the past 25 years.
“Tourism is hugely affected by accessibility so pushing the infrastructure agenda is a must if we are to see real visitor numbers and in particular international visitors, who, by the way, spend twice as much as a domestic visitor.
“Ireland West Airport Knock, a mere 40 minute drive from Sligo, is an asset that I want to really support in this role. Simple things like everyone one of us stating how close we are to this major international access point. The airport is closer to Sligo that to very Western parts of Mayo! Ireland West Airport and the Wild Atlantic Way - two powerful assets that we have to really use,” she said.
Fiona highlighted the achievements of Sligo Food Trail saying it had been very successful in putting Sligo on the food and tourism map.
“We need more for Sligo Food Trails, we need to acknowledge their drive, the risks they took and their achievements, and we need more collaborations of this kind, this again the Chamber want to support,” she said.
And, it was a case, she added of fingers crossed for County Sligo Golf Club, Local Authority and Sligo Tourism’s bid to host the Irish Open in 2019.
FIONA is a director of First Western Training Limited and is a trainer, mentor and consultant.
First Western, based at the Sligo Enterprise and Technology Centre, Sligo Airport Business Park, Airport Rd, Strandhill, has been managing the development and delivery of training for Failte Ireland since 2008. Fiona manages all international sales, revenue and CPD training nationally for Fáilte Ireland and to do this operates a panel of over 50 national and international based trainers including Cornell University, New York.
Prior to working for First Western, Fiona worked for five years with the Western Development Commission where she oversaw and managed new innovative projects such as the development of Ireland’s first Ecotourism Destination and the development of new artisan food trails.