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Tourism in Inishowen feels the chill 20.05.08

Buncrana tourist office closure hits the industry

Story: Inishowen Independent

INISHOWEN may have basked in Mediterranean-type weather in recent weeks, but the tourist industry here is feeling the chill since the closure of Buncrana’s tourist office last February.
According to Buncrana’s Deputy Mayor, Peter McLaughlin, hotels have reported a sharp decrease in the number of people being referred to them from the tourist office.
The office, which is maintained by Fáilte Ireland, has maintained a part-time presence since April and recently advertised seeking a full-time ‘seasonal travel advisor’.
Applications for the €22,000 per annum post, which runs from May to September, close today, but it’s unlikely that the post will be filled until the middle of next month at the earliest.
Meanwhile the office is currently offering a limited service, opening from 10am-5pm on Fridays and Saturdays only.
And while councillor McLaughlin has suggested hotels have taken a hit, it would seem as if they are not alone.
“The numbers staying in our hostel are significantly down this year,” agreed Michael Diver of Tullyarvan Mill. “We’ve had no referrals whatsoever from the tourist office and we had a large number last year. If they don’t increase, we’ll have a really bad season.”
Speaking before jetting off to Greece where he will marry Muff woman Pauline McCarron on Saturday, Dan Gallinagh of the Inishowen Surf School also said that his bookings were down.
“A lot of people were referred to the school through Deirdre Bradley who used to work in the tourist office but that has stopped. Buncrana is the gateway to Inishowen and it’s a bit slack that it’s now closed five days out of seven.”
“The tourist office has an important role to play in directing tourists to all points of interest in Inishowen,” Cllr McLaughlin said.
“The new person will have to, for want of a better term, sell our ‘product’. Getting the right person is essential; it’s important that it’s a local person who knows Inishowen well.”
“Tourists want the personal touch and someone who knows the area,” agreed Michael Diver. “We’ve upped our marketing budget this year, but nothing beats the referrals from the local tourist office.” Fáilte Ireland was unavailable for comment.
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