Carey writes to Shannon Development over Tourist Office Support

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today written to John Quinlivan in Shannon Development over concerns at the level of support given to Kilkee Tourist Office.

Deputy Carey has learned in recent days that there is significant worry in relation to both the size of the Kilkee Tourist Office, the manner in which it is advertised, and the reduced opening hours it operates.

Deputy Carey believes that the Kilkee region is missing out on tourist revenue because of a lack of proper investment in the tourist office.

He has called on Shannon Development to engage with the local business community and help address the issues raised.

Deputy Carey said:

“The Kilkee Tourist Office should be hopping with tourists this time of year, and particularly following the awarding of a European Destination of Excllenece Award for the region. Yet sales are down. There are fears locally for the future viability of this office and the worry is that the funding for the service is not adequately being made available so that the office will not be viable.

If you weren’t from the area, it is very hard to know there is a tourist office in Kilkee at all. The signage is a major issue and needs immediate improvement. Coupled with this, the office itself is not of the size befitting a modern tourist office. It is in my opinion far too small. Remember, this is often the first impression tourists will make of s learned in recent days that there is significant worry in relation to both the size of the Kilkee Tourist Office, the manner in which it is advertised, and the reduced opening hours it operates.

Deputy Carey believes that the Kilkee region is missing out on tourist revenue because of a lack of proper investment in the tourist office.

He has called on Shannon Development to engage with the local business community and help address the issues raised.

Deputy Carey said:

“The Kilkee Tourist Office should be hopping with tourists this time of year, and particularly following the awarding of a European Destination of Excllenece Award for the region. Yet sales are down. There are fears locally for the future viability of this office and the worry is that the funding for the service is not adequately being made available so that the office will not be viable.

If you weren’t from the area, it is very hard to know there is a tourist office in Kilkee at all. The signage is a major issue and needs immediate improvement. Coupled with this, the office itself is not of the size befitting a modern tourist office. It is in my opinion far too small. Remember, this is often the first impression tourists will make of an area, so we should make the proper investment for a bright, airy and welcoming office.

At present, the office opens