PRESS RELEASE: GREATER MITCELSTOWN TOURISM GROUP

 PRESS RELEASE: GREATER MITCELSTOWN TOURISM GROUP

Forrest Hall, Mitchelstown, Thursday 25 January 2024

The first 2024 meeting of the Greater Mitchelstown Area Tourism Group was hosted by

Mitchelstown Community Council tonight. The workshop received a great turnout with

over 40 people in attendance from across a spectrum of hospitality amenities,

community groups, towns and villages in the area to share their ideas and enthusiasm.

The discussion started with ‘why’ and it was agreed that tourism and increasing visitor

numbers and frequency could be a great way to increase prosperity, pride and a sense

of community: continuing to make the area a great place to live, work, visit and run a

business.

Participants then discussed the area’s ‘Pillars of Strength’ in term of both amenities for

local people, attractions to increase visitors year-round and our aspirations for the future.

Groups coalesced around the following topics and brainstormed a long-list of ideas:

1.

2. History & Culture

3. Outdoors &Wellness

4. Food & Beverage

5. Farming

6. Sports

7. Sustainability

It was noted that the area already has an abundance of offerings and a breadth and

depth of capability to build on including St. George’s/The Georgian Quarter and

Indiependence in the History and Culture area; the infinite possibilities presented by The

Galtees and Ballyhoura and the national reputation of our award-wining food and

beverage producers. Newer areas to build upon included celebration of our farming and

sporting heritage and an ambition to become an area recognised for its sustainable

tourism practices.

The group had a very fun and engaging prioritisation session to identify initial focus

areas and some quick wins to move into action within the next month. Among the top

ideas were:

1.

2. Mitchelstown Producer Gifts

3. Accessible Audio Guides

4. Sustainable Transportation Hub

5. Food Tours

6. Outdoor Trails Plan (Ballyhoura)

7. Farming Heritage Experience

The group prepared for the next workshop by identifying the enablement actions

needed to put some of the plans into place including holistic marketing and

communications, parking and transport, town cleanliness, insurance, accommodation

and funding.

The group agreed that consultation should become even broader, identifying actions to

bring in the skills and interests of those in second and third level education and by

engaging with older residents as Mitchelstown is already an Age Friendly town.

The working group will meet again in early March – watch The Avondhu and

Mitchelstown Community Council Social Media for updates. Everyone is welcome to the

next event whether or not you’ve attended before. The next set of focus areas will be on:

1.

2. Update on Quick Wins

3. Target Market Groups

4. Marketing Channels

5. Measures of Success

If you would like to get involved please contact Ciara O’Brien: ciara@barnahown.com.