TRALEE is on the edge of glory and could head into 2014 as the Best Tourism Town in Ireland.
Tralee was eligible to enter the Tourism Town Awards after winning a Gold Medal in the 2012 Tidy Towns Competition and while retaining the Gold Medal this year, Tralee was shortlisted as one of top 10 Tourism Towns for 2013.
Tralee Chamber Alliance submitted an application to enter the awards and even with some of Ireland’s best beaches, attractions and scenery, Tralee will be up against some stiff opposition in the final stages of the competition.
On Friday 11th October, two Fáilte Ireland Judges will visit some of the main tourism attractions that Tralee has to offer and experience how the local community works together to provide an authentic visitor experience.
The President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Pádraig McGillicuddy, said: “We want to be the best and we need everyone in Tralee to aspire to that goal. Tralee has always had the potential to be a top tourist town and now that potential has been recognised by Fáilte Ireland. Three hours in October could determine our fate, so let’s make sure the town looks its best when the Judges arrive. They want to experience how Tralee tells its own unique story to visitors and what distinguishes it from other towns. The Adjudicators also want to see how the town takes a unified approach to marketing and developing the location into a tourism town.”
The Tourism Town Award has been designed to promote Irish towns and villages which are working hard to enhance their appeal to tourists visiting their local area.
Friday October 11th is a day when families and schools are being encouraged to spend some time in the Town Park, Aqua Dome, Wetlands Centre, Kerry County Museum, Siamsa Tire and Blennerville Windmill.
“Tralee was a hive of activity this summer with a host of events including Féile na mBláth, Kerry Activity Experience, Heroes Week and the Rose of Tralee International Festival attracting thousands of people to the town. We aim to show the Judges that Tralee is an all-year weather-proof tourism destination with an exciting programme of varied events,” said Pádraig McGillicuddy.
A small group of people has been tasked with the job to impress upon the Judges that the residents of Tralee are prepared to go the extra mile to make sure that first impressions count when welcoming visitors. The Adjudicators will be served up a Taste of Tralee during their three-hour visit.
The results of the Tourism Town Awards will be announced in November with prizes being presented to the Best Small Town, Best Large Town and Best Overall Town. Anyone who wishes to help in Tralee’s efforts to be the best, should contact Anthea Hogan in the Tralee Chamber Alliance, 18 Denny Street, Tralee or phone 066-7121742.
