Motorhome tourism lobby group seeks more service sites
– Limerick Racecourse makes space for Campervans Gathering
The organisers of a Gathering event in Limerick this week say the Republic of Ireland is failing to take advantage of the growing motorhome tourism sector due to a lack of service sites for campervans.
Campervan motorists from all over Ireland and throughout Britain will converge on Limerick Racecourse in Patrickswell this weekend for a unique gathering event aimed at promoting the Irish motorhome tourism sector.
The Campervan Rally Charity Event from Friday to Sunday (10-12th May 2013) is being organised by Safe Nights Ireland and is one of dozens of Gathering events taking place in Limerick during the summer. The event will feature a Camper Parts and Items Boot Sale, an Exhibition of Traders and Kids Activities, as well as musical entertainment.
Organiser and Limerick native, Frank Ryan of Safe Nights Ireland said the event is not only aimed at promoting the need for domestic motorhome tourism market but also showcasing the need for campervan sites, also known as ‘Aire De Service’, to be established across Ireland.
Askeaton in County Limerick is presently the site of the Republic of Ireland’s only Aire de Service, a common feature in towns and villages across mainland Europe and the United Kingdom.
“The lucrative motorhome tourism is largely overlooked in this country as evidenced by the distinct lack of investment in service points dedicated to facilitating Campervans,” explained Mr. Ryan.
He continued: “By developing more facilities around the country Ireland will be able to tap into a form of tourism that is becoming increasingly popular, as evidenced in Northern Ireland where there are up to a dozen campervan service sites. Increasing numbers of people, particularly Europeans, are moving away from budget package holidays and opting to go on self-drive holidays. The benefits for any community in providing service points are significant as such developments help to establish such locations as centres for motorhome tourists.”
“We would encourage anyone with a campervan and who enjoys self-drive holidays to join us this week. We look forward to meeting up with some familiar faces and welcoming people from all over Ireland and Britain to Limerick for what will be a thoroughly enjoyable and family-friendly weekend,” Mr. Ryan concluded.
This month has already seen a number of Gathering events held throughout Limerick including the Great Limerick Run, Riverfest, Fleadh by the Feale, A Taste of Ballyhoura Country, International Horse Racing Weekend, Abbey Fishermen Homecoming, Prendergast Gathering and the launch of the Lackelly Ambush Trail.
Upcoming events include the Limerick School of Art and Design Graduate Fashion Gathering (May 16-17), the Gravity Enduro Round 2 Mountain Bike Event (May 18-19), the Cadogan Clan Gathering (May 25), Mk1 Golf Owners Club ’Ireland’ Gathering (May 26) O’Connor Family Reunion (May 26-27), the Village Gathering in Hospital (May 31-Jun 2) and Limerick Sings 2013 (May 31-Jun 3).
For more on the Campervan Rally Charity Event at Limerick Racecourse on 10-12th May visit www.safenightsireland.com or www.thegatheringireland.com.
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