DUNGARVAN LEADER – MAY 29TH 2009 – KEVIN KIRRANE
CHAMBER HOLD BRAINSTORMING SESSION TO BID TO ATTRACT VISITORS
Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber of Commerce’s newly formed Tourism and Leisure sub-committee held a brainstorming session on Friday last where they revealed details of a new innovative initiative – D4 99 – which aims to attract new visitors and package the town as a “value” destination.
Members of the hotel and leisure industries, who are suffering from the crushing economic conditions, have branded together to devise the new value initiative, which would effectively give the town a new branding. The concept, named “Dungarvan for 99” would see all business in th town invited to put forward value packages that would be in the 99 cent or €99 price bracket.
WEBSITE
As part of this, the Tourism and Leisure Committee plan to launch a new website, called D499.ie which will be updated regularly, and begin an intensive nationwide marketing campaign.
The sub-committee say that, for example, hotels in the are could provide seasonal packages for €99, restaurants offer main courses for €9.99 and shops could also offer 99 cent or €9.99 deals.
The web domain has already been acquired and the site is currently being developed.
Jenny Beresford, of the Chamber, said the offer could be applicable to any kind of retail, hospitality and industry enterprise.
MARKETING
The Chamber aims to market the initiative outside Dungarvan in order to attract fresh pockets of tourism into the town. The initiative would not just show the value available in Dungarvan but also highlight the natural and built amenities of the town – bringing the best Dungarvan has to offer to a wider audience, and showcase it as a place to stay and shop.
Mark Knowles of Clonea Strand Hotel said the Chamber will be asking all businesses to carry the D499 logo on their advertising.
VALUE
"It’s about people sitting around tables together,” Mr Knowles said, “who’ve never sad around tables together before”.
“It’s an example of everyone trying to work together. It’s a movement rather than just a concept”
