Tourism becomes a major focus as country's councils gather in Trim
Local tourism can play a major role in spurring economic regeneration and job creation in areas across the country, but only if everyone acts as a local ambassador, a councillors' conference in Trim was told on Friday. Meath County Council's director of economic development and innovation, Kevin Stewart, also told the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland (AMAI) that putting aside the county shirt and working with other counties to enhance the tourist potential of the region should be pursued. Some 300 delegates representing town, area and county councils across the country were in attendance at the conference, which was hosted by the Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort. Also in attendance were Minister of State at the OPW, Brian Hayes, while other guest speakers were Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Phil Hogan, and Minister for State at the Department of Environment and Local Government, Willie Penrose. "The county jersey is an important thing in the Irish psyche," said Mr Stewart. "To suggest that we should put it aside in order to better sell our tourism product may be a tough ask. But we cannot sit back and just assume that people will think we are great and simply turn up. Don't be under the illusion that people are sitting around the dinner table in North Carolina or Illinois or somewhere in Italy or Germany thinking 'I know, we'll go to Meath on our holidays'. They aren't." He added: "If we all do that in our own areas, then the answer to the question that was put to me at the start is a resounding 'yes'. Tourism can help to solve our local economic difficulties. But we have to make it happen. "I was privileged to serve as town manager for five years. Trim is, without doubt, now one of the finest towns in the country and is the jewel in the crown of the Heritage Capital of Ireland as we modestly refer to ourselves here in Meath." He asked the Trim councillors present to be conscious of their roles as ambassadors to visitors and referenced the enormity of the forthcoming Solheim Cup golf tournament at nearby Killeen Castle. "To the local councillors I see in the audience, just remember you have a different role. Your role this week is to be the ambassadors for this area and I'm sure you're doing a great job in welcoming our guests and projecting a good positive image of Trim and Meath," he added.