New tourism kiosk opened at Westport quay

New tourism kiosk opened at Westport Quay by native son


Áine Ryan

THE COUNTRY’S first interactive tourism kiosk of its kind was recently opened at Westport Quay by Mr Tom Haughey, the Chairman of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), himself a native of Westport. The new kiosk – situated on the walkway around the pond – was the brainchild of Mr Michael O’Donnell, a well-known Westport business man, and Chairman of the Marketing Committee of Westport Tourism Organisation
Officiating also at the launch, the Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Councillor Martin Keane praised the foresight of those who drove the project. “We can all take pride in the tourism kiosk but I must pay tribute to Mr Michael O’Donnell, Chairman of the Tourist Marketing Committee, who had the foresight to see the benefits from the kiosk,” said Cllr  Martin Keane.
During Mr O’Donnell’s membership of the board of South West Mayo LEADER company he highlighted the advantages of the innovative kiosk and, as a result, the company gave  substantial grant-aid to the project.
Cllr Keane also praised Mr Christy Madigan, Chairman of the Westport Tourism Organisation and the committee as a whole ‘for their commitment and ongoing efforts to promote Westport as a tourism destination’.
The state-of-the-art kiosk was designed and installed by Austrian company Feratel. The kiosk will afford visitors and locals an information services through a display board, an info-media touchscreen and a locator map of Westport. A telephone is also available so that visitors can contact advertisers to check availability. The calls are free, while advertisers pay a nominal fee.
The kiosk will be open all year round, seven days a week, for 12 hours each day.