Tourism Development International has been engaged by Kilkenny County Council, Kilkenny Borough Council, Kilkenny Tourism, Kilkenny Vintners and the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and Industry to carry out research to establish a base line of where Tourism in Kilkenny is currently positioned in the market place. This will assist the tourism industry to establish what tourism gaps need to be filled and where they can next take their product.

The research will generate sufficient information that will allow Kilkenny to move forward strategically and efficiently in the knowledge that the county is progressing in the right direction and pursuing markets that have shown a definite interest in the product Kilkenny has to offer.

The research undertaken fell into three categories:

• Research and visitor survey amongst those currently visiting Kilkenny
• Research and perception surveys amongst people outside Kilkenny, but within Ireland (including NI)
• Tourism Trade Research (tour operators and handlers)

 

The final phase of this research was presented during 2004 and this information will now be used for the production of a 5 Year Tourism Development Strategy. Welcome Marketing has been commissioned to complete this strategy, which should be completed by June 2005.

This Strategy will set out the future 'positioning' of Kilkenny as a tourism destination, having regard to its' own strengths, future market opportunities, and also having regard for the competitive environment in which Kilkenny operates.

Members of Kilkenny Tourism 04/05:

• Pat Crotty, Chairperson
• Richard Butler
• Sheena McCanny
• John Hickey
• Peter Wilson
• Breda Dore
• Michael Prendergast
• Breda Phelan
• Michael O'Connor
• Kathleen Leadbetter
• Claudia Woolgar
• Patrick Nolan
• Margaret Fitzgerald
• Paddy Friel
• James O'Connor
• Cllr. Paul Cuddihy
• Cllr. Malcolm Noonan
• Cllr. John Brennan