Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said that tourism marketing for Dublin must promote Dun Laoghaire as a the attractive tourist destination it is. Deputy O’Connor was speaking in advance of her conference in Killiney Castle Hotel on Monday titled ‘Tourism 2020- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown- Improve Your Tourism Success’. Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD will speak at the event. 

“Dun Laoghaire and the surrounding areas have a huge amount to offer to tourists. Situated between the mountains and the sea, Dun Laoghaire has unrivalled natural beauty in Dublin. Transport links are good and there is lots for tourists of all ages to see and do. Tourism marketing for Dublin focuses too much on the city centre. I really feel it is time for an increased marketing focus on our beautiful coastal areas, particularly given all we have to offer here in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. 

“Dun Laoghaire has huge future tourism potential with exciting plans for a Diaspora Centre and the potential for Dun Laoghaire to attract huge numbers of cruise ship tourists as part of the Harbour Masterplan. The Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta takes place in July and has huge potential to attract visitors to the area in the way that many previous yacht races have done. 

“I know that Dun Laoghaire town centre has gone through a difficult few years, but I am pleased to say that the business community is fighting back. The adoption of the Business Improvement District proposal is a great first step towards a bright future for the town. There are plenty of positive initiatives to improve footfall in the town such as the shopfront improvement scheme and incentives for business to occupy vacant commercial units.

“Businesses and shops in Dun Laoghaire know that increased tourism in the area is crucial to their future success. I am delighted that so many local businesses have signed up to attend my conference on business and tourism this coming Monday in Killiney. I look forward to working with businesses to help them capitalise on the opportunities presented by increasing our numbers of visitors to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area in the years to come.”