New firm to lead regional tourism

TOURISM interests expressed serious concerns last night after it emerged that a management firm has been appointed to run Cork Kerry Tourism.

Board members agreed to appoint management services company, Welch and Co, to run Cork Kerry Tourism (CKT), a spokesperson for Fáilte Ireland confirmed yesterday.

It is understood a manager and a financial controller have been installed.

The State’s tourism development authority said the appointment was on an interim basis while CKT’s chief executive, Maura Moynihan, is on sick leave. It is understood she has been on leave since early November.

Fáilte Ireland declined to further discuss the appointment or Ms Moynihan’s absence. Ms Moynihan was unavailable for comment.

John Ahern, the chairman of the board, was also unavailable for comment, while Welch and Co also declined to comment.

The news comes after a year of sustained criticism for CKT.

The organisation did not do enough to market Cork city during Cork 2005, the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said.

And two months into 2006, there is still no sign of a specific marketing strategy for the city, Cork IHF branch chairman John Gately said.

CKT has also been rocked by several high-profile resignations. Former senior staff member, Frank Donaldson, who worked for Cork Kerry Tourism since the early 1970s, left his job as marketing manager in 2004. He is taking a case for constructive dismissal, which is due to be heard in March. CKT’s financial controller also left.

Staff turnover in the Cork office has been very high and morale in both the Cork and Kerry offices is said to be at an all-time low.

Mr Gately said he welcomed the installation of the management company.

“It shows that at least something is happening now,” he said.

“We would view this as a positive move.”

But he said the tourism industry in Cork is still waiting for evidence and proof that CKT is in a position to market the city.

“They have a marketing strategy for the Cork Kerry region,” he said.

“But we have asked to have a ‘city only’ marketing person. We are losing business in the city and I believe Cork will suffer going into the future.”