Minister for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD today (Monday) officially opened the new Tourist Information Office in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The new office is open six days per week in high season and has a comprehensive selection of quality free literature for visitors to take away.
Speaking today, Minister Ring said: ‘Tourism is the lifeblood of many parts of the country and is of great importance to Mayo and the Castlebar area. We have a fantastic tourism experience in Mayo waiting for any prospective visitor in terms of accommodation, things to do, places to see and experiences to be had. This Tourist Information Office enables local businesses such as accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs, cafés and shops as well as providers of outdoor activities, island trips, bicycle rentals and exhibitions to promote what they have to offer to visitors to this beautiful area’.
Recent figures show that 322,000 overseas tourists visited Mayo in 2010 generating revenue of €84 million. Of these, 171,000 were from Britain, 84,000 from mainland Europe and 55,000 from North America.
Tourism growth in the West this year was also boosted by the announcement of The Wild Atlantic Way, the first phase of a major new tourism initiative for the entire west coast, and which includes funding of €1.8 million for the project in Connemara.
Meanwhile, Mayo’s Great Western Greenway has been a resounding success. A key project for Fáilte Ireland in 2012 is the completion of the Greenway’s infrastructure. The Great Western Greenway will be promoted widely at tourism shows in Ireland and abroad.
“I wish everyone in Castlebar Tourist Office, its staff and all the tourism business in the area every success in the current tourist season,” Minister Ring said.
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Issued by:
Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport
Catherine Blake Tel: (01) 6041007