New fund to target Shannon airport

A new ‘route development fund’ to attract new business to Shannon airport has been proposed by Shannon Development.

The new fund, to be used to secure additional scheduled and charter flights for the Airport, will target an additional 600,000 tourist visits to the Shannon region in its first year.

According to chief executive of Shannon Development Dr Vincent Cunnane, the authority is "advanced" in discussions with public and private sector interests in the Shannon Region to establish the fund.

Dr Cunnane made his comments at a briefing for over 100 members of the Shannon Region Tourism Trade. During the briefing Shannon Development's tourism team briefed the trade on other new tourism initiatives planned for 2012.

The conference heard Shannon Development hoped to build on "definite signs of recovery in the tourism sector" which it said saw international visitors to Ireland increase by 7.4 percent in 2011. Tourism income in the Shannon region was up €30m in 2011, with an additional 310,000 'bednights' the conference heard.

The authority said this targets for 2012 were dependent on the success of two specific strategies – building the new Airline Fund and in partnership with the tourism business, and developing a brand around sport, activity and family friendly tourism" .

"The second element of strategy is setting regional targets to be met and delivered in conjunction with our Shannon Region tourism trade across festivals, events, visitor attractions and accommodation owners," said tourism manager Dr Pat Daly.

Shannon Development said it will also open a Shannon region "Gathering Office", to ensure the Shannon region will be at forefront of the Gathering Programme in 2013.