Economic Development Directorate Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience 2017 marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. The official opening date was 8th February 2007 and a 10th year anniversary function took place with all the main stakeholders to celebrate. It was a record year for visitor numbers at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience with 1,526,440 visitors, a 7% increase year on year. Visitor numbers overall are up 61% since opening in 2007. During this period, the numbers employed by the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd and the other businesses on the site has grown steadily, making it one of the largest employers in North Clare. The growth has not just been in the peak season but across the 12 months of the year. All markets performed strongly, in particular the US and Germany. New developing markets such as China, Australia and New Zealand have seen significant growth in 2017. There has been an increase in visitors booking their visit online to guarantee entry to the popular attraction. Significant investment has been put in place to improve facilities. A new booking system went live in June 2017, transforming the handling of 48% of all customers to the Cliffs of Moher. A new coach reception building, additional toilet facilities and upgrading of the coach parking and layout commenced in October 2017 and the main coach park is temporarily closed during this period of construction. An organisational restructuring has taken place to manage the increased level of business, to improve functions, operations, and commercial management.
The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark hosted 150 representatives from 70 European Geoparks in March. The 3 day event culminated in a tour of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. An Interreg Atlantic Area partnership with 11 other Geoparks launched the Atlantic Geoparks Project in May. This project will develop a tourism route of Geoparks along the Atlantic in Ireland, UK, France, Spain and Portugal.
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