FÁILTE IRELAND has a new tourism strategy for the south and east of Ireland. The strategy hinges on the region's cultural and heritage experiences.
International tourists enjoy rolling hills, river valleys and sweeping pastures of sweet green grass. They also enjoy the friendly pub culture and I hope the oxygen isn't taken out of that message when the ad campaign starts.
Photo by @topgold in the Brian Boru of Cashel.
I have seen some American friends recoil when I mentioned that we would continue a planning session "down the pub. I didn't know if it was because of the concern for my health or my turn of a phrase. Nonetheless, I know from the evidence of my own workflow that I get things done in charming pub settings. In fact, I now see Irish and international visitors reading Kindles in pubs. That is a good unique selling point for Ireland when targeting tourists interested in deep cultural experiences.
[Bernie Goldbach teaches media writing in the Limerick School of Art & Design.]
