COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, May 23, 2016

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive to present a report outlining the success of the recent South Dublin Tourism presentation and networking event held in Tallaght Stadium and will he confirm how he believes the event will enhance the Tourism strategy for Tallaght?"

REPLY:

The County Promotion Unit secured the services of Crowe Horwath to develop a marketing and branding plan for the County from a tourism perspective. Through the involvement of all stakeholders in the County, the plan aims to leverage the existing products in South Dublin and create additional leisure attractions and activities to increase tourist numbers to the area.

To facilitate the early stages of this task, the County Promotion Unit of the Economic Enterprise & Tourism Development Department hosted a tourism industry briefing and networking event in Tallaght Stadium, and are running an online survey seeking the public’s views and opinions on how to develop new packages and itineraries for tourists and in turn assist in improving the visitor experience.

The best destinations always have a welcome that resonates from the marketing of the location online - all the way down to ensuring that the experience of the County is as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible for visitors when they get here. Local businesses and communities have a crucial role to play in making this experience great. In a competitive tourism market, this welcome can in turn become a powerful force for repeat visits and positive word of mouth through social media and traditional channels.

In the development of the Tourism Strategy recommendations emerged around the need to promote awareness and collaboration among the County’s Tourism providers in order to develop packages and experiences that can convince visitors to the County to extend their stay and experience the best our County has to offer. This will be crucial in our County increasing the economic performance and employment targets in the strategy.

In this context and, to ensure there is complete cooperation and full agreement and understanding on the direction that Dublin is taking in tourism development the event was an excellent opportunity to brief on Failte Irelands plans, South Dublin’s plans and gain the input of local industry together in the one space.

Almost 40 businesses attended, many from the local area, and are working on package development together.

The sector is busy and growing and to facilitate those who were unable to attend the Council has contacted over 200 businesses providing the presentations from Failte Ireland and the other contributors on the day. We have also provided a template to facilitate industry in collaborating in developing packages between hotels and smaller providers.

We will be in further contact with providers in the coming months as we develop our tourism website, to feature the itineraries and packages being developed for visitors.

Through the Councils Tourism Working Group, the Chamber Tourism Industry Group and further networking opportunities we look forward to industry enhancing the visitor experience further while the Council plays a strategic role in large scale developments such as the Round Tower Centre, Dublin Mountains, festival development and other initiatives.

More details are available in the press release related to the event. http://www.sdublincoco.ie/index.aspx?pageid=939&pid=35090.