Vouchers to target Westport visitors

Vouchers to target Westport visitors


Áine Ryan

TOURISTS to Westport over the next month are set to benefit by a broad range of  reductions in shops, restaurants and activity outlets courtesy of a radical initiative led by local businessman, David Coakley.
Speaking to The Mayo News at the weekend, David Coakley revealed that the ‘voucher package’, which has already been advertised in The Sunday Tribune, is supported by over 30 outlets and the town’s hotels.
“Business is down for everyone and we felt that we urgently need to attract people to Westport. Our hotels are already doing great marketing campaigns, individually and through Destination Westport,” explained David Coakley.
“With this initiative, prospective tourists interested in a holiday in a Westport hotel, now have the added incentive of being given a book of vouchers on their arrival. Everyone benefits and after August this initiative may be extended to local shoppers,” he continued.
Led by Mr Coakley, among the organisers of the initiative are longtime retailer, Don McGreevey, Seamus Duffy of The Bookshop, Sean Beirne of Jack Dylan jewellers, Sheila O’Donnell, pharmacist and Colm McLoughlin of Market 57.
“The booklet of vouchers includes such a broad range of outlets it is certain to be attractive to visitors. And the vouchers provide real value with significant reductions,” David Coakley added.  
This innovative voucher initiative also aims – in a novel way – to brand Westport as a quality, niche tourism destination where visitors have a special experience and get value for money.
“It is hoped that in giving our visitors great value they will spend more here - albeit at discounted rates – and will leave with a good impression and consequently return to Westport.”
David added that in challenging economic times there was an urgent need for a town like Westport to come up with new business and tourisim initiatives