Irish self-representation in tourism

Irish self-representation in tourism M. ADORJĂ N ELTE, BP.

Tourists in Ireland  6.29m number of visitors in 2011  200,000 jobs, 4% GDP

 6,000 tourism jobs created

in the last six months  Economic impact  Britain, the US, France, and Germany  = 80% of visitors

Types of main attractions

 Built heritage  Traditional and living culture, crafts  Natural heritage

 Festivals and events  Business tourism  City experiences (short breaks)

The Blarney Castle Experience

Tourism destinations  A key attraction or

 + supplementary

activity  Instantly recognizable = a key identity  A must-see place

products  + supplementary attractions  + supplementary services (food, accommodation)  = a complete experience

A key attraction or activity: Blarney Stone  Kissing the stone:  ’The gift of the gab’

 cultural experience +

enchanted fairy-tale context = wellstructured commercial product

The Blarney Stone ď‚— The origin of the famous

Blarney Stone itself is unknown; theories (to be taken with a large pinch of salt) range from it having once been part of the Stone of Scone (held at Edinburgh Castle) presented to a local chieftain by Robert the Bruce; to being a fragment of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Read more: http://www.frommers.com/ destinations/corkcity/A1975 1.html#ixzz251qdRbWJ

ď‚— It's

wedged far enough underneath the battlements to make it uncomfortable to reach, but not far enough that countless tourists don't bend over backward, hang upside down in a parapet, and kiss it in hopes of increased loquaciousness. It's customary to tip the attendant who holds your legs (you might want to do it before he hangs you over the edge).

Supplementary products, attractions and services ď‚— The Great National

Blarney Hotel Golf and Spa Resort **** ď‚— Blarney Woolen Mills Hotel

Blarney Woollen Mills  once a small souvenir shop in a

thatched cottage on wheels  now the largest Irish store in the world  now occupies a space of 60,000 square ft  is a key feature of the renowned Irish village

The Worry Stone Exploiting the long-standing oral tradition, ’story tellers’ will interpret any object as legendary.  Everything seems to have the potential to evolve into a unique cultural experience. 



Live webcam

The rise of the Leprechaun ď‚—

instead of more religiously loaded motifs

ď‚—

More PC?

St. Patrick’s Day (?)  spectacular craic

Cultural/heritage tourism  fastest growing area of tourism        

internationally 3.3 million visitors to sites of historical/cultural interest over €2.2 billion generated 54% to total overseas tourism revenue Visitors who engage with Ireland’s culture & heritage tend to: stay longer spend more be affluent, well-travelled, highly educated and socially concerned be middle-aged couples, either with older or no children

 be interested in learning while on

holiday  look for themed & authentic experiences  originate in mainland Europe – this market accounts for 43% of tourists visiting cultural/historical attractions.  Historic towns: rich and varied

past, an interesting stock of historic buildings and a good story to tell

Cultural tourism in Ireland  Benefits:

 successfully exploits and

 economic growth,

markets its cultural heritage  linking it to sites of natural beauty  emphasizing the authenticity  Successful commercial products

 generating local

employment,  raising national pride  increasing awareness of cultural heritage

Successful commercial products  new generation of artists

re-inventing folk-art

 Celtic motifs

 educating customers

about traditional musical instruments as products (tin whistles or bodhráns sold with music sheets)

City events: traditional and modern  Bloomsday, 16 June

 Merrion Square: a model for future

tourism projects  Opening historic buildings for public  Community events  walking tours, mid-week lunchtime music performances and talks in key building

September on the Square

Involving children: Sharing Our Stories initiative  two new dramatic

 Interactive

tours: living history tours opened to visitors in medieval Galway and The Viking Triangle in Waterford.  ‘Tribes Alive’, a dramatic walk through the medieval streets of Galway, and animated tours of three of the historic visitor

 Animated, visual  attractions in Waterford’s

recently revitalised cultural quarter, the Viking Triangle will allow visitors to interact with our heritage and learn about our stories by bringing great local stories to life using larger than life local characters and famous local events.

Students’ about Ireland: the Irish Spirit  Hungarian students:  Music, dancing  Irish whiskey, Guinness, Irish coffee (??)

 The Emerald Isle, landscape  St. Patrick’s Day, leprechaun  Irish letters

 International students:  Irish or English?

 Whiskey, Guinness  Golf, baseball