New digital tourism platform launched by Destination Athlone
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Cllr Frankie Keena, Louise Campbell and Helen Conneely pictured in Luan Gallery last week for the launch of Destination Athlone’s new digital tourism platform, athlone.ieImage 2 of 6
Tommy Hogan and Alan McCaul, Director, Shamrock Lodge Hotel, pictured at the launch of Destination Athlone’s new digital tourism platform, athlone.ie in Luan Gallery last week.Image 3 of 6
Pictured at the launch of the new digital tourism platform, athlone.ie by Destination Athlone in Luan Gallery last week were: Brian Toolin, Carmel Duffy, Siobhain McGrath and Regina Bushell.Image 4 of 6
Michael Byrne, Alan Shaw, President of Athlone Chamber of Commerce, and Lisa Joy, pictured at the launch of the Destination Athlone new digitial tourism platform, athlone.ie in Luan Gallery last week.Image 5 of 6
Una Doris, Tourism Officer, Westmeath County Council; Mayor of the Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council, Cllr John Keogh; Mayor of Athlone Moate Municipal District of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Louise Heavin; Michael McDonnell and Rosie Boles, Managing Director Burgess, pictured at the launch of the new digital tourism plaform, athlone.ie by Destination Athlone in Luan Gallery last week.Image 6 of 6
Cllr Aengus O’Rourke; Cll Paul Hogan; Una Sheffield; Ronan Bushell; Helen Conneely; Cllr John Dolan and Cllr Tom Farrell were all in attendance at Luan Gallery last week for the launch of the new state of the art digital tourism platform, athlone.ie by Destination Athlone.A group which was established in 2014 to focus on marketing Athlone as a visitor destination has launched a brand new state-of-the-art digital platform.
The platform, a revamped athlone.ie website, was officially launched on Thursday night last on behalf of Destination Athlone by the Mayor of Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Louise Heavin, at a function in the Luan Gallery.
Destination Athlone was originally set up as a forum to facilitate and encourage collaboration between the principal stakeholders in the Athlone area and to develop and promote the town and environs as a regional destination and tourist hub. Targeting both visitors and locals alike under the brand 'Athlone at the heart of it', the core platform for the group is the website athlone.ie
In 2015 Destination Athlone incorporated a marketing company to focus on marketing the town as a visitor destination, and the group of businesses which make up the forum is supported by the Westmeath Local Authorities and Fáilte Ireland, both of whom were represented at last week's launch of the new digital platform.
Athlone Chamber of Commerce is one of many key members of Destination Athlone, and President Alan Shaw, who is also the Chairman of Destination Athlone's Steering Committee, paid particular tribute to Westmeath County Council and Fáilte Ireland at last week's launch for their support “and significant funding” to assist in the development of the new website.
The new destination website was developed following extensive research by the marketing group of Destination Athlone, which secured funding of approximately €40,000 for the project. With the assistance of an external advisor, they researched world-class destination sites such as www.visitswitzerland.com and prepared a detailed brief before appointing a Clare-based company, Acton BV as the web provider.
Last week's launch of athlone.ie was told that the website is built on the principles of being “simplistic and user friendly” and has excellent responsiveness and speed. The site lists all the main visitor attractions in the area and also features separate sections on where to eat and drink, where to stay and what's on. It also makes numerous references to the fact that Athlone is part of the Fáilte Ireland Hidden Heartlands marketing brand.