by Bernie [email protected]
Shannon Airport has announced another boost for tourism in the West of Ireland with a new summer service from Vienna for 2016 with news that there will be flights between Shannon and Austria.
Top Austrian Tour Operator Prima Reisen is to operate a charter service from July until early September out of Vienna.
Prima Reisen will operate a total of seven flights – four in July, two in August and one in September – in 2016, with the airport hopeful of an increase in services over following years.
Said Shannon Airport Head of Aviation Development Declan Power, “The tourism product on offer for visitors coming through Shannon is second to none and we are confident that it will have similar appeal to the Austrian market as it does other European regions.
“The Wild Atlantic Way is proving a huge stimulus for the region and with Shannon as the premier international gateway for the route, we see opportunity for further growth over the coming years.”
Said Prima Reisen Product Manager, Christoph Gruther, “The type of product you have in the West of Ireland offers huge appeal to the Austrian market. The mix of scenery, amenities, the unique Irish culture and welcome has few equals. We have no doubt it will be hugely popular among our customers and we have every confidence that as word spreads, we will see further growth in the years ahead.”
Promotion of the service has already begun, with tour operators and media from Austria visiting the region this month supported by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to experience some of the range of visitor attractions on offer.
Thanks to the press visit alone, almost 5 million Austrians, potential visitors to Ireland, will get an opportunity to read about the Wild Atlantic Way and the new Vienna to Shannon Airport charter service in 2016.
Fiona Monaghan, Failte Ireland’s Head of the Wild Atlantic Way today welcomed the new development, saying: “This is a great boost for the Wild Atlantic Way. Shannon Airport is a key hub for access into the west and south and today’s announcement of additional traffic from Austria next summer will guarantee extra visitors all along the Wild Atlantic Way – and that eventually translates into additional revenue and jobs for rural communities all along the route”.
Among the sites visited and promoted will be the Shannon Heritage operated King John’s Castle, Limerick City and the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum in Co. Limerick; the Dingle Peninsula and Listowel in Co. Kerry; the Connemara region, including Kylemore Abbey & Gardens and Clifden in Co. Galway; and the Tullamore Visitor Centre in Co. Offaly.
