Mayo North Tourism urges tourism businesses to join membership and capitalise on Biden Bounce
Tourism businesses urged to work together to keep 2023 momentum going
On the back of a bumper month of promotion for Ballina and North Mayo, Mayo North Tourism is encouraging new members to continue working together to support the ongoing promotion of the region with the aim of capitalising on recent publicity.
The Mayo North Tourism annual membership scheme is open to all businesses, and funds the collaborative marketing and promotion of the destination across multiple media outlets and offers individual member businesses the opportunity to avail of national and international media opportunities across TV, radio, press, online and social media at an accessible cost, with the aim of raising the profile of the destination as a whole.
Just some of the plans to capitalise on the publicity generated by the Presidential visit include a detailed feature in ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ magazine, the largest and longest-running Irish interest magazine in the world with a large US readership, and the hosting of a week-long press trip by acclaimed US travel writer and photographer Susan Portnoy (Condé Nast, National Geographic), alongside regular high profile press visits to the region organised by Mayo North Tourism.
Manager of Mayo North Tourism, Mairéad Melody-Carr said: “Ballina and North Mayo has recently benefited from unprecedent publicity due to the visit of President Biden in April. This, combined with the securing of high-profile events in Ballina such as Mayo Day and the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Mini Marathon as part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations has boosted awareness of and interest in the area like never before.”
“It is vital that we continue to work together, keep this momentum going and capitalise long-term on these opportunities while awareness is still top of mind around the world. Mayo North Tourism has worked hard over the past decade to market this area on behalf of its tourism businesses; however, there is a need for industry to continue to contribute to the cost of this marketing, which will attract visitors both domestic and international across the 12 months of the year, ensuring that the region can maximise its tourism revenue potential.”
Ms Melody-Carr added: As tourism revenue trickles down, we also want to ensure that all types of businesses, not just tourism businesses have an opportunity to be included in and benefit from the initiative.”
Mayo North Tourism is an initiative of community development company Moy Valley Resources IRD, supported by Mayo County Council’s Ballina Municipal District. Office facilities are provided by Ballina Chamber of Commerce and its marketing budget is generated by members. Membership contributions are also used as match funding to avail of grants, thus multiplying the local investment which is then used to marketing collateral, including destination videos and maps, and to create social media marketing content and PR campaigns.
Since its inception in 2013, Mayo North Tourism has achieved media coverage for the region on national radio, print and TV, popular online sites and overseas publications, with an estimated value of millions. It has also created a strong digital presence including a comprehensive website outlining North Mayo’s tourism offering, and an average monthly reach of over 300,000 on social media.
Members can benefit from a wide range of benefits, including the chance to participate in the hugely successful ‘People and Places of North Mayo’ video series, the opportunity to host a variety of travel media writers and social media influencers, and the use of Mayo North Tourism’s social media platforms, to highlight their businesses.
Newly appointed CEO of Moy Valley Resources IRD, David Dwane added: “If all businesses contribute just a little to help attract more tourism footfall and spend into the area, the destination will prosper, and everyone will reap the benefits. As a destination, we are already on the map, the challenge now is to convert this publicity into actual length of stay, year-round visitors.”
Membership rates begin at just €120 per year for smaller businesses, with monthly payment options available. Smaller businesses pay directly at www.northmayo.ie/become-a-member, while in order to ensure a fair and proportionate membership rate, hotels, restaurants/gastropubs and visitor attractions are invited to contact the Mayo North team directly at 096 80090 or [email protected].