The Westport Journey to a Tourist Destination. Eva Costello Failte Ireland April 2018

Transcription

1 The Westport Journey to a Tourist Destination Eva Costello Failte Ireland April 2018

2 Westport A small town On a small Island Off a larger Island Off an ever expanding Europe Running to stand still! - Bono Westport Just to survive as a viable town on the Atlantic west coast is a challenge! To thrive requires strong local leadership and an immense amount of cooperation and coordinated team work.

3 2,500km Driving Route Westport at mid-way point Signature Experiences Clew Bay and The Islands Achill - Clare Island Croagh Patrick Grainne Mhaol Pirate Queen Outdoor Adventures

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5 Westport Town Westport House Westport Quay Atlantic Ocean Westport three distinct elements working as one unit

6 Westport 1950s Community Business Leaders Realisation Sea Angling Golf

7 Section 23 - The Celtic Tiger Years!

8 The Octagon

9 Westport Harbour - 30 years ago

10 Westport our winning formulae The Circle of Partnership in everything we do!

11 The Spirit of Volunteerism Tidy Towns Organisation In excess of 5000 voluntary hours per annum 140 Volunteers on rotas 100+ Voluntary Community Groups

12 Local Authority and Tourism The Aims: Establish positive liaison between the authority, tourism bodies and event organisers Promotion of Westport as a place for a great visitor experience. Co-ordinate all the events under one banner. Encourage the development of a programme of events that is vibrant, innovative and welcoming. Continue to exploit the goal of establishing Westport as the Activity Capital of Ireland. Extend the Season

13 Tourism Role Contact festival/event organisations. Engage with two main Tourism Groups Westport Tourism Organisation and Destination Westport. Whats On in Westport listing Local Authority Role Practical assistance, support and advice. Worked closely with agencies/organisations i.e. Gardai, HSE, Fire Services Public Safety, Traffic Management, Road closures. Signage, Crowd control barriers, Bins, Porto Loos etc. Great support from all areas of the authority office and outdoor staff.

14 A flavour of Westport s Festivals 90plus

15 Making Westport Irelands outdoor Adventure Capital Gaelforce Aventure Race participants ,000 participants Sea2Summit 2,500 Get Out There Adventure Festival

16 Seasonal/Weekly Events available for visitors. Cultural/Music Events Clew Bay Garden Trail The Story of Granuaille Patrick The Musical Magic Lounge The Westport Story Children s Summer/Activity Camps Historic Town Walks Parkrun

17 Bike Buffet 10 Buffets throughout the year Up to 100 cyclists Broad Age Profile Families Locals and Visitors

18 Walking Tour of Westport

19 A team of trained volunteers Guiding - Advising -Helping

20 SMARTER TRAVEL TOWN - SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL DESIRE LINES Newport Rd Aitreech Golf Course Rd Cedar Park Fairways Horkins Hill Allergan N5 Castlebar Rd Roman Island Pond Westport House Knockranny Town Centre Quay Village Tesco Westpoint Coast Road Ballinrobe Rd Legend Quay Greenway (Approved Funding) On Road Cycle way Short Cut Routes Northern Greenway On Rd Separated Cycle way Home Zones

21 Westport Tourism Organisation 40+ years Accommodation providers/local retailers Guides/Overseas promotions 12 Local Hotels + Activity Providers + Local Attractions 10+ years EXECUTIVE TEAM Marketing Committee (Marketing Managers) Subs -Web Finance Media PR - Mayo Monthly Meeting Annual Budget WEB SITE

22 Nationally Recognised Awards

23 Westport What other people say! Awards Tidy Towns National Winner Entente Florale Gold Medal Pride of Place National Winner Communities in Bloom International Irelands Best Kept town Retail Excellence Ireland award Irish Times Best Place to live in Ireland Tourism Town 2012/13 (Top 10 placing) The Sunday Times Best Place for Outdoors The Sunday Times Best Place for Food Failte Ireland Tourism Town Purple Flag Award

24 So how did we do? Very positive reaction - event and tourism organisations. Relationships firmly established with event organisers and the various agencies. Substantial positive media coverage for Westport. Further established The Westport Brand -safe and quality destination for all the family. The envy of many towns across the country. Very positive and upbeat about the future. Community working together on tourism for over fifty years.

25 Irelands Best Town - Retail Excellence Ireland In the town of Westport retailers have been inventive and forward thinking, Westport has great retailers from food to fashion, whether it is Artisan producers of Cheese and confectionery to one-off designs in a range of independent boutiques. Good Balance of Distinctive Local Retailers & Multiples. Lots of Car parking - people feel SAFE! New Businesses opening Very few retail premises to let. No Ghost Estates.

26 Westport - A Real Sense of Place

27 Behaviour & Attitudes Survey 2009 (Heritage Towns)& 2013 (HTI) Westport - (November 2013) Westport House 140,000 visitors 2014 Retains its premier position. Has the strongest ranges of reasons to visit. Performs exceptionally well on amenities and services. Excels in relation to security, cleanliness and well lit streets. The evaluation of Westport again sets the bar. Westport is a stand out performer (as in 2009) excelling on all key criteria. Westport consistently excels,...it is the national bench mark John O Mahony B&A Consultants for Fáilte Ireland Customs House Dublin.

28 Visitors Survey Westport Eleven Twelve Michael Mc Gréil visitors surveyed 162 Locals surveyed Research & Recommendations Driving our Development going forward THE HARD QUESTIONS! Would you come back to Westport?90% Would you recommend Westport to a friend?96% % of Visitors Satisfied/ V Satisfied?99%

29 Voted Irelands Favourite Piece of Architecture 2016 Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland

30 In 1767, an ad was placed in Faulkner s Dublin Journal by Peter Browne Kelly and William Leeson advertising for workmen to build the town month celebration of Westport s 250 years -a huge tourism and business opportunity The goal of Westport250 is to engage with the local community, the diaspora and visitors to celebrate this landmark anniversary. Historical projects, major events and a national promotional campaign.

31 Thank You!