SHARE Clones Canal Workshop

HISTORY OF SHARE

Established in 1981 – International Year of Disabled

Ethos – Inclusion of disabled and non-disabled people

Developed from a Small Farm House to 65 acre activity centre

BACKGROUNDFully accessible charitable facility

Ireland’s Largest Activity Centre

10,000 Residential Guests and 5,000 Day Visitors per Year

Turnover 1.4 million per year

Who Visits

• Local groups and organisations• Corporate Sector Organisations• International Language Students

How Do We Sell Ireland?

‘There’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong clothing’

• Peace process;• Cheap Flights/Better Roads• friendly – ‘can-do’ approach,• sincerity – realness about people,• surprised at what we have to offer, and• that they are here first!

NOT‘The sunny, Mediterranean climate’

What the visitor says

WHAT WORKS!

• Lakeland environment,• range of on-site activities,• local Tourist attractions,• proximity of Belfast & Dublin, and• how we run our business.

ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS?

• Share’s Mission,

• the visitors’ carbon footprint – ‘guilt & discomfort’, and

• Share as the responsible tourist provider

(This makes the ‘psychological contract’, but does not make the deal’).

It provides quality at no extra cost.

Share’s Core Strengths

• Flexibility,

• an attitude of ‘can-do’,

• access to local people, and

• our investment in training

ISSUES FOR THE FUTURE

• Placing a proper tourist value on outdoor activity,• de-mystifying the outdoors,• economic downturn,• Acquatic Weed/Zebra Mussel• partnership working, and• leaving no trace – or a positive

one.

Marketing Challenge

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS??