World tourism boost for Tipp

TIPPERARY could be on the cusp of a major influx of northern European visitors following interest in the county from the world's largest tourism company.

TUI, the German-based world leader in tourism, recently sent a delegation to visit Tipperary. The company is seeking new markets in winter tourism for its northern European customers, and the Lough Derg area and its hinterland is seen as a suitable target location.

Local tourism providers are reporting an apparent decline in British visitors to Tipperary this year. But the numbers coming from Germany appear to be increasing again, fuelling hopes that this new interest from TUI will lead to a future boost for the local tourism economy.

Mike Goodliffe, TUI's representative in Ireland, has met with a number of local authorities with the aim of bringing more European visitors over here. He was introduced to Tipperary Co Council CEO Joe MacGrath last March by local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill.

Since then, a German delegation from TUI has visited Tipperary and inspected several sites, mainly around Lough Derg. Mr Goodliffe made his second visit to area last month, when he was brought to Terryglass, Dolla, Silvermines, Killoscully and Ballina. The tour was facilitated by Terryglass tourism provider Mairead Ryan and Ballina man John Sheehy, a former member of North Tipperary Co Council.

Mr Goodliffe was impressed with the accommodation offerings he visited and said he would be putting these on the TUI website. This he said would expose them to a catchment of over 20 million people and thousands of travel agencies across Europe.

TUI specialises in wide-ranging holiday types. Mr Goodliffe said the company has started looking at self-catering accommodation in Ireland and providing northern European clients with activities during the off-season. He pointed out that opportunities for the likes of golfing, fishing and hiking are limited in northern Europe during winter but are available in Ireland; and Tipperary is well-suited, he said.

The targeted clientele would be mainly German but also Austrian, Dutch, French, Belgian and Swiss. Attractions of particular interest would include hillwalking, horse riding, golfing and pubs, all of which are in good supply and of high standard in Tipperary. There is also the scenic attraction of Lough Derg and its villages, as well as the rural uplands.

Mr Goodliffe stressed that the recent visits are preparatory work with the potential of a new TUI tourism campaign in 2018. He envisaged “winter tourism†packages for European clients to fly into Shannon and base themselves in north Tipperary.

Tipperary Co Council CEO MacGrath said he was delighted to arrange a visit to Tipperary for the German delegation last May, in which the council's Director of Community & Economic Development Services Sinead Carr and Tourism Officer Margaret O'Sullivan played a key role.

Mr MacGrath said the visitors were very impressed with what they saw and were particularly interested in the self-catering offering. He hoped that the interest from TUI would lead to an increased volume of European visitors to Tipperary.

The CEO referred to feedback from local tourism providers indicating that the British market appears to be down this year whereas the number of German visitors is up. There is therefore a necessity to focus on meeting the needs of this market, Mr MacGrath said, adding that he would be liaising with Mr Goodliffe again in the near future.

Mr MacGrath made the point that “there's a lot going on†with regard to tourism promotion in the county at present and he hoped to see these initiatives bearing fruit for the local economy.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill arranged Mr Goodliffe's meeting with the Tipp CEO after becoming aware of the TUI man's work with Kerry Co Council. Deputy Cahill was glad to have been able to introduce Mr Goodliffe to Tipperary and expressed satisfaction with at the progress that has been made since, saying more work was needed to promote local tourism.

“We have a serious package to sell,†Deputy Cahill said with regard to Tipp tourism. “We have something that's second to none but we haven't fully tapped into it.â€

Deputy Cahill said Tipperary has two key resources – agriculture and tourism. The latter remains underdeveloped, despite such attractions as the lake, well-developed nature walks, artisan food, golf courses and other amenities that would be of interest to European visitors. Deputy Cahill said there is also suitable bed provision for this market, with visitors in the TUI catchment happy to opt for self-catering and B&B accommodation rather than hotels.

Deputy Cahill also made the point that the TUI initiative is “just one cog in the wheel†of many good things happening in Tipperary tourism at the moment. He praised Tipperary Co Council for working to promote tourism in the county.