Picture: Don Moloney / Press 22
METROPOLITAN area councillors have given their unanimous support to a motion calling on Limerick City and County Council to reinstate the popular Street Ambassadors tourist guide initiative.
Labour Party councillor Frankie Daly tabled the motion calling on the local authority to bring back “the highly successful and worthwhile Street Ambassador programme in Limerick City and the Metropolitan area to support and help grow tourism by supporting endeavors such as Riverfest, St Patrick’s week and for approximately ten to 12 weeks of the summer period”.
“I think it’s shameful that something so worthwhile has been shelved,” he said.
Pointing out that Limerick is in the process of budding for European Capital of Culture status in 2020, Cllr Daly added; ‘They were the first point of contact with tourists”.
He also told the meeting that he had been told the cost of the initiative was minimal, and commented: “I feel that little things contribute to making great things”.
Director of services Christy O’Connor told the elected representatives that the Street Ambassador programme, which was cancelled this year due to a lack of administrative resources “is under review for future years”.
Pat Dowling, deputy chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, also said the local authority would “see if we can do something about it”.
“Are we as a council genuine about marketing our city?” demanded Cllr Seán Lynch (FF).
Pointing out that the World Medical Games are currently taking place in the city, he added: “Over 1,000 people are here with their families and we don’t have any street ambassadors to greet them”.
A number of councillors also criticised the local authority for failing to adequately promote events such as the World Medical Games.
Cllr Séighin Ó Ceallaigh (SF) commented: “I suggest that we have street ambassadors 365 days a year. There are tourists here at every time during the year.”
