19 December 2003: Overseas tourism brought in revenue of €74 million to County Kildare in 2002, members of Naas Town Council were told at a special presentation by Co Kildare Failte earlier this week.
Tom Malone, chairman of Co Kildare Failte and the organisation's marketing manager Eilish Rafferty told of tourism marketing plans up to June 2004 which include capitalising on the Ryder Cup to take place in the K-Club in 2006. This will be done by a Failte Ireland Ryder cup brochure and a press campaign to illustrate that the event is being held in Kildare and not Dublin. There will be a special edition Ryder cup information brochure.
Future plans also include the upgrading of the county map to highlight visitor attractions. KELT will fund 50% of the costs with private sponsors funding the balance.
A new logo for the tourism body will be completed shortly and a CD is to be produced with information about the county.
Committee members have begun auditing several key areas including accommodation, festivals and events, golf, equestrian and heritage to create a data base which can then be updated regularly.
They also plan to promote busines through their new brochure and members are invited to update their own listings. Area meetings will take place in January 2004.
In 2002 Kildare County Council’s contribution to CKF accounted for 76% of CKF’s total income. This year, the Council’s contribution was 78% of CKF’s income. CKF is working towards a 50:50 funding quotient with KCC.
It was pointed out that Naas provides good accommodation, a good range of restaurants and has a pleasant town centre without the usual 'High Street' type shops.
