'Tourism In Kerry's Everyone’s Business', Says Deenihan

Jimmy Deenihan TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht today officially opened the Kerry Tourism Showcase, in the Malton Hotel, Killarney.

The aim of the inaugural showcase is to ensure that everyone involved in tourism in Kerry is fully aware of all that is available in Kerry, where the activities and events are located and how to access them with ease. Participation in and admission to the exhibition is free.

Speaking today Minister Deenihan said: “As you all know, Kerry is Ireland’s premier holiday destination with a range of cultural, heritage and activity attractions unmatched anywhere in Ireland. Following on from the very successful visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh over the past two days now more than ever the focus of the world media has been on Ireland. Coverage like that is key to ensuring when overseas visitors are considering their holiday options Ireland is high on their list. In today’s economic climate people are making ever more discerning choices about how and where to spend their leisure time and money. Kerry attracts over 1.2 million visitors a year and if just one third of these visitors added one extra night to their stay in Kerry that would generate an additional €100m to the local economy.”

Minister Deenihan congratulated Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Go Kerry - All Kerry Tourism and the wider tourism trade for mounting this major one-day showcase of Kerry tourism activities, visitor attractions and product providers.

The Minister added: “We in Kerry have a tremendous head start on the rest of the country when it comes to the Tourism industry. Kerry and Tourism fit together like a hand in a glove and have done so for many years now. And, this new initiative is exactly why Kerry tourism has been successful. It’s where Kerry people do something unique for their area and ensure that tourism in Kerry becomes everyone’s business.”

(BMcN/GK)