Tralee's positive and proactive approach to doing business results in growth

A positive, proactive approach is turning around Tralee’s fortunes, say local traders and the Kerry town’s Chamber Alliance.

The upturn is evidenced by the reopening of the historic Benners’ hotel, and the Ashe Hotel (previously the Abbeygate), expansion of Portman Travel, plus a new wood-fired pizza restaurant, Il Forno, which opened at the start of November.

Hair-stylist Cathriona Rohan has just opened a second salon, in Tralee, having made the cut in Castlegregory since 2003.

“There has been doom and gloom in a lot of places as a result of the recession, almost fearing what’s to come down the line.

"In Tralee, however, this is not the case. The town, as a collective group, seems to have put a positive, proactive approach to ensuring the town continues to grow.

"The positivity is catching: it’s a great place to work,” says Ms Rohan.

Tralee got a Gold medal in Tidy Towns and is in Tripadvisor and Bord Failte’s top-10 tourism towns.