Town should not give ‘one penny’ to tourism body

THE fragile relationship between Youghal Town Council and Cork/Kerry Tourism has resulted in the town not getting its fair share of business, according to elected representatives.

Indeed, its peripheral location has convinced locals it would fare better under the umbrella of SERTO (South East Regional Tourism Organisation).

At one stage, the Town Council pulled the financial plug on Cork/Kerry Tourism, and, as a result, lost its membership on the management board.

While the local authority subsequently returned to the fold, relations between the two sides remain strained.

An independent member of the council this week insisted that Youghal should not contribute “one penny’ to Cork/Kerry Tourism “until it has sorted out its problems”.

Cllr Olly Casey said he was shocked at the contents of a recent newspaper report on Cork/Tourism matters, which, he claimed, showed the organisation is not functioning as it should be.

“Clearly mistakes are being made and that body needs to get its act together’, said Cllr Casey. “Until it does, and its problems have been sorted, our town council should not contribute one penny to them.”

However the council’s representative on the board of Cork/Kerry Tourism, Cllr Barbara Murray, said that while mistakes have been made, a new chief executive has been appointed and she was confident about the organisation’s future.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Cllr Murray, “and we (Youghal Town Council) will be better off in than out”.

Cllr Murray said the new terminal at Cork Airport would open up vast new tourism opportunities for the region, and Youghal’s direct involvement with the tourism body would be more vital than ever.

“Structures will be changed in July, and things within Cork/Kerry Tourism will get better,” said Cllr Murray. “Bad publicity hasn’t helped.”

The mayor, Cllr Mary Linehan/Foley, said the council has already taken a decision to remain within Cork/Kerry Tourism for this year and that decision must remain in place. “If, however, it doesn’t work for us then we can consider pulling out next year,” she added.