FIRST the facts. There is a general consensus that the 2004 tourist season in Kerry has, in terms of numbers at least, left a lot to be desired, and hopes of a quick return to the money-spinning climate of pre-2000 have failed to materialise.
A survey of visitors, commissioned by the Kerry County Development Board, indicates that rocketing prices are to blame with 27 per cent of survey respondents indicating that they found local hotels and restaurants to be too expensive.
But that finding has been emphatically dismissed by local industry chiefs who insist the value for money on offer in Kerry is on a par with any other location in the country. And, they stress, it is Ireland’s taxation system and not excessive prices that can be blamed for the country’s rip-off reputation.
Too much time, perhaps, has been spent discussing the factors that may have influenced this, including rising prices, over-regulation, quality of product and the rise of the east coast as a popular destination. With so many theories in circulation, the focus tends to shift away from the only opinions that really matter – what the tourists who have come here actually have to say.
And their views might cause eyebrows to raise a notch in some quarters as the general consensus in Killarney this week is that holidays in Kerry are leaving a lasting impression – for all the right reasons.
Our snap survey on the streets of Killarney confirms that the response from visitors was overwhelmingly positive. Most were delighted with the natural delights Kerry has to offer, and what grievances people had tended to be minor.
One American couple, Brad and Judy Snow from New Hampshire, beamed that they were having “a fabulous time”. They had spent a week in Kerry and were won over by its charm.
“We’ve been to the Cliffs of Moher but for us Kerry has far more charm. The people are great, there’s so much natural beauty and the architecture is very European,” said Brad, a first-time visitor to Kerry.
“Our accommodation has been just great. At the moment we’re in a lovely Killarney hotel and when we were in Kenmare we stayed at a very nice B+B,” he said, stressing that cost was not an issue.
Others had chosen to economise that bit more when they arrived in Killarney and Petra and Marjolein Schotman, a mother and daughter from Holland, were equally impressed with their hostel accommodation.
“We’re staying at a hostel in Fossa and it’s the best we’ve had so far,” said Petra.
“Usually we just cook for ourselves and we’re happy with that. As for the pubs well. we just don’t go there.
“We’re here for the nature and after a long day walking, cycling and horse riding, we just want to go to sleep,” she said.
And what of the domestic tourists? The Leonard family from Fermanagh were enjoying their stay but had some reservations.
“We’re staying in a mobile home and sometimes it’s a bit hard to keep the kids occupied. The weather is a big factor here, especially when there are no public leisure activities,” said Mr Leonard.
But, he stressed, it was a small complaint and, overall, they were exceptionally happy with the Killarney and Kerry experience.
“We’ve been all over the country on different holidays but here it’s cleaner, safer and the people seem happier. It might be expensive, but if people don’t like that well then they shouldn’t come,” he said.
For others, unfortunately, the cost factor wasn’t such a minor consideration and the Markl family from Bavaria in Germany insisted it was a significant problem.
“It is quite expensive for us here because not only are the prices higher but wages in Germany are actually lower which makes it even tougher,” said Mr Markl.
He stressed that they enjoyed the various towns and villages they came across on the Ring of Kerry but added that the new pub restrictions did not go down well.
“It would be nice to go to the pub at night but our daughter is too young. We accept that the law must be respected, although it should be okay for younger people to go there at night if they are accompanied by an adult,” he said.
Taking the reaction from the visitors to his native town on board, Killarney Tourism Council official and Cork/Kerry Tourism director, Michael Courtney, was adamant that the quality of product on offer was first class but he conceded that locals needed to ensure high standards that have been set are maintained.
“It’s no secret that tourism is going through a rough patch. Nevertheless, Killarney is being sold all over the world and there are prices to suit everyone so long as they seek them out,” he said.
“We all have a part to play, and if some people are ripping off their customers they should be ashamed of themselves,” Cllr Courtney added.
Responding to suggestions that there is little to do in Killarney when the sun doesn’t shine, the local tourism official pointed to the public swimming pool project that is now well underway:
“The new swimming and leisure complex should be ready by 2006 and that will prove to be a big attraction.
“Yet we cannot forget that Kerry is primarily a natural playground – people want to be out and about in the fresh air.
“You can create more indoor attractions but past experience tells us that these things don’t usually last,” he said.
The key to improving visitor numbers in Kerry is securing adequate funding and ensuring the marketing strategies adopted are practical and innovative, Cllr Courtney insisted.
“Kerry Airport, for example, is doing a great job but it needs more resources from the government. At present there are only two airlines flying into Farranfore and that is not enough,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to market more aggressively cross channel.
“There simply isn’t enough promotion and the government ought to be spending three times as much as it does at present. Sterling is strong at the moment but the British tourists just aren’t coming.
“If we are to look ahead with confidence, we need to spend money on encouraging people to visit here.
“It’s as simple as that,” he stressed.
|
