Clare County COuncil Leads Tourism Drive In New York

March 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The event will be hosted by His Excellency, Mr. Noel Kilkenny and the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes on Wednesday next, 14 March.  

The Consul General, who is a native of Cappa near Kilrush in West Clare, also is facilitating a number of high level one-to-one meetings between officials from Clare County Council and U.S.-based venture capitalists.

The Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes, who is among five Clare delegates travelling to the United States next week, said the event being hosted at the residence of the Consul General was “a major coup for the County”.

“This high level event will provide Clare County Council with a rare opportunity to make a presentation to some of the key business and tourism players in the United States”, explained Mayor Hayes.

The Mayor will join Clare County Manager, Mr. Tom Coughlan and senior executives from the Economic Development and Planning division of Clare County Council at the event. Clare Fine Gael T.D. and the Chairman of the Irish Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Pat Breen, T.D., also will be in attendance.  The cost associated with the Clare County Council delegation’s trip to New York is estimated to be 12-13,000 euro.

Mayor Hayes said the initiative taken by Clare County Council in organising next week’s event would complement the ongoing efforts by the local business and hospitality sectors to promote the attractiveness of the County as an investment location and visitor destination.

“There has to be a greater realisation among the wider public that promotional trips abroad such as next week’s visit to America are essential. I am aware of the huge amount of promotional work already being done in this area by the local business and hospitality sectors. I also fully appreciate that direct marketing initiatives in key markets such as the United States must continue, especially at a time when Ireland is facing increased competition from around the world”, stated the Mayor.

Along with co-hosting next Wednesday’s event, the Clare delegation will attend separate meetings with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, CIE Tours International and Tourism Ireland.  On St. Patricks Day (Saturday, 17 March), the delegation will attend mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral before attending the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade along New York’s 5th Avenue.

According to Gerard Dollard, Director of Service, Community, Enterprise, Planning and Tourism Directorate: “Clare County Council has significantly strengthened its activity on economic development promotion in recent years and regards this visit as being strategic in strengthening the case for economic development and investment in County Clare.”

“The Council has been planning the U.S. visit since November last as part of its ongoing programme to directly target companies and individuals who may be in a position to bring investment to County Clare. Apart from the event at the Consul General’s residence, there are a number of key meetings arranged throughout the week. These include meetings with influential analysts involved in key sectors and prospective companies that are considering relocating to Europe,” Mr. Dollard concluded.

-ENDS-

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