Westmeath's new tourist officer to help operators over 'enormous and sudden' shock

Above: Fiona Fitzgerald, Westmeath's new tourism officer

Tourism operators in Westmeath need to focus their energies on attracting tourists from within Ireland, as they attempt to revive after the “enormous and sudden shock” the pandemic has brought, Westmeath's new tourism officer, Fiona FitzGerald has said this week.

“I am confident that our tourism industry will recover over time due to the quality of the visitor experience, our facilities and attractions and the inherent natural attractiveness of the county,” Ms Fitzgerald said at the June monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council.

“However,” she continued, “it will be a long and difficult process and the sector will require support from the various agencies, including Westmeath County Council.”

Council director of service, Barry Kehoe, held the same conviction, he told members: “International visitors won't be seen until later this year - or into 2021 - so it is incumbent on us to attract domestic visitors and that is what we are hoping to achieve,” he stated.

Ms Fitzgerald, who took up her job just as the pandemic crisis began, said the county council has been working closely with service providers, attraction owners, Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and communities to minimise the long term impact and to achieve a recovery as fast as possible.

“During this challenging time for all tourism providers we are keeping in touch by email, twitter and phone to ensure they know that we are here to support them in any and every way possible, including through the Local Enterprise Office (LEO),” Ms Fitzgerald stated, adding that the LEO has been providing mentoring to all existing tourism businesses in Westmeath that have been impacted by Covid-19, and that it has run a number of training sessions.

Attraction

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Updating members on the latest situation, Ms Fitzgerald revealed that Belvedere Belvedere House, Gardens & Park re-opened on May 19 to current season ticket holders and on Friday May 29, it began processing season ticket renewals and facilitating new season tickets along with welcoming general admission.

Athlone Castle was, Ms Fitzgerald continued, aiming to reopen on Monday of this week, June 29, while the Luan Gallery will re-open on Tuesday July 14.

“Fáilte Ireland approved the Athlone application under Destination Towns with works to be concentrated on wayfinding, interpretation to orientate visitors and works to enhance the appearance and entrance to Athlone Castle,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

The grant amount is €500,000 with a Council contribution of €125,000.

Westmeath, Laois and Offaly have joined in partnership on a Midlands 103 radio campaign to promote ‘Midlands Tourism’ and an ad has been taken out with Extra.ie promoting Westmeath's attractions - the Westmeath Way, Dead Centre Brewing, Tullynally Castle, Portlick Millennium Forest, Old Rail Trail Greenway, Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park, Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, The Hill of Uisneach and Viking Tours.

“Our county tourism website www.visitwestmeath.ie continues to be updated and is active on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook,” Ms Fitzgerald added, going on to remind the meeting that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will go ahead in Mullingar from August 1-9 2021.

Planning

Ms Fitzgerald told the meeting that Fáilte Ireland has initiated a Destination Recovery taskforce for the Hidden Heartlands, to assist in the recovery from the effects of Covid-19 and the council will assist and participate.

In addition, a Shannon Tourism Masterplan is being prepared in conjunction with the other local authorities and also Waterways Ireland and Failte Ireland is nearing completion.

“It is expected that the plan will be launched later in the summer, when the statutory processes have been completed,” she stated.