By Heidi Woods- Tourism Development Officer
Inishowen
Tourism welcomed Sligo based tour operator to the Inishowen Peninsula last
weekend to showcase what is on offer for their visitors from France travelling
to Ireland on their holidays. The company were also celebrating 25 years in
business selling holidays in Ireland to their small groups and independent
travellers from abroad. As the Northwest tourism gains traction in terms of
interest from international markets in conjunction with The Wild Atlantic Way
concept, there is high demand to offer new packages and Inishowen was chosen as
part of their visit as a destination to experience and plan itineraries for
2017.
Inishowen
Tourism representatives worked closely with Allain Tours to provide them with
ideas for the weekend; suggestions to incorporate all attractions around the Peninsula
prior to their visit. The company directors Bernard Eucher-Lahon and Corine
Ledanois were travelling with their team and Welcome Packs were distributed to their
rooms providing them with essential information on everything we offer here in
Inishowen. As the trip was time restricted as to what they would be able to
visit or participate in during the weekend this would be beneficial for
planning itineraries for their clients in the future. The group based
themselves at The Malin Hotel; took part in several activity based pursuits,
such as the Inishowen Quad Safari experience and hiking the local terrain. They
visited the Doagh Famine Village and stopped to sample Kieran’s award winning
seafood chowder at Nancy’s Barn Ballyliffin.
On
Sunday they were accompanied on a guided tour from Malin Town heading north via
the stunning scenery around Knockameny Bens, then onto Malin Head. The weather
was true to form, sunshine and showers for this time of year, but that didn’t
deter the team from Sligo; they were thrilled with the walk along the Malin
Head Trail bursting with enthusiasm for the breathtaking views on their way to
Ireland’s Most Northerly Point.
The
group’s last stop before leaving homeward bound was Sunday Lunch at The Seaview
Tavern, Malin Head. This was an opportunity to get a little feedback from them
in between ordering their meal. Trying not to interrupt their last hour of
relaxation spent in Inishowen I requested could they give me a line about what
was special, or a highlighted memory from the trip. Someone in the group gave a
tagline to capture the essence of the feeling being here and that was it, they
all participated writing in my note book their own caption of their individual
experience.
As their tour bus pulled away I read their
captions and smiled, how wonderful to see such comments, these are special and
they should be shared with the people and place that inspired these; Inishowen;
the wildest elements for the warmest experience; Donegal you have captured my
heart; Donegal, real wilderness, real craic; Inishowen is like heaven; Donegal:
It has it all; Inishowen, just breathtaking; Live the real life in Donegal;
Inishowen: A breath of fresh air; Awesome Inishowen; Inishowen, where you can
experience all four seasons in one day; Inishowen number 1; A tiny peninsula, full
of surprises. The last caption is my favourite because it encapsulates
it all; Inishowen is out on its own; Breathtaking scenery, passionate people, a
hidden treasure.
As
the high season for tourism comes to close, it is time to congratulate all our
members and wider community who provide a valuable experience for our visitors
whatever they do, it is heart-warming to hear good feedback and we say at
Inishowen Tourism “keep doing what you do so well -making Inishowen a truly
special place to visit”.
