Destination Athlone marketing group recognised for tourism promotion

The Destination Athlone marketing group, which oversees the marketing and promotion of Athlone and its environs as a visitor and tourist destination, recently received the ‘Best Online and Social Media Presence’ award at the Athlone Business Chamber Awards.

Destination Athlone’s mission is to promote Athlone, its environs and surroundings as a hub for outstanding visitor experiences, positioning itself as a must-visit destination under the brand ‘Athlone at the Heart of It’.

Louise Campbell of the Hodson Bay Group and Destination Athlone Marketing Committee, said: "We were absolutely thrilled to be recognised with the ‘Best Online and Social Media Presence’ award at such a prestigious event.

“Our online platform is thriving, with growing visitor numbers and engagement levels that can compete with Ireland’s top tourist destinations. In addition to visitors and tourists benefiting the hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants and bars it also benefits areas such as retail, shops, arts and crafts, visitor centres and various activities and attractions across a diverse range of offering.”

At the core of the initiative is the collaboration between stakeholders including Westmeath County Council, Roscommon County Council, Athlone Chamber of Commerce, Failte Ireland, hotels and hospitality businesses.

In May 2023, the group launched the new state-of-the-art website, www.athlone.ie. Since then, both the site and the associated social media platforms have shown impressive growth, with increased website visitors, Instagram followers, and social media engagement.

The message in promoting Athlone is built around the following key pillars: Nature & Outdoors, Family Fun, On the Water, Culture & Heritage, Shopping and Spa & Wellness.

The Destination Athlone committee includes marketing managers from local hotels and representatives from tourism businesses, with continued support from local authorities and Fáilte Ireland.

Helen Conneely from Celtic Roots, a member of the marketing committee stated: “Athlone.ie is a one-stop shop for visitors, offering everything from dining and accommodation to things to do and what’s on in the area. We want to grow this platform by bringing more local businesses on board in the future.”