Page 4 - COBH EDITION 15th MARCH DIGITAL VERSION

Cork Harbour Islands and Cork County Council brings Tourism to
Centre Stage

Cork Harbour Islands (CHI) has had a very successful 2018 which has directly increased tour-
ism for their members. Utilising both traditional and digital marketing CHI has brought an
influx of attention to the area.

Cork County Council generously contributed €12,500 to CHI in 2018, this funding went
directly to a brand new marketing campaign aimed at promoting the surrounding areas
both nationally and internationally. Róisín FitzGerald of Fota Wildlife Park says “This fund-
ing allowed for creation of a vlog which has given viewers a visual insight into Cork Harbour
Islands’ members, successful cinema and TV advertisements, and social media advertising
which resulted in increased footfall in the areas as well as a 105% increase of social media
followers.”
Séamus Leahy, Director of Marketing at Fota Island Resort says “the outstanding work com-
pleted by CHI, in collaboration with Cork County Council’s efforts has brought the harbour
islands to the foreground of Cork tourism. The efforts made by the team at CHI is truly re-
markable and their success in 2018 is testament to that”

Gillen Joyce of The Titanic Experience explains “This year, CHI is aiming to expand on exist-
ing concepts such increasing from 18 members to 20/23.” Further adding “To achieve this
goal, CHI plans to continue their work with the MSc Management and Marketing programme
in University College Cork. Due to the renowned success in 2018, CHI have confirmed that
they are to welcome a new marketing intern from the Masters in March 2019.” Furthermore,
CHI intends to utilise their social media platforms to greater effect, by integrating their digital
marketing plan within cinema and TV advertising, they will continue to expand even further
their National TV Advertising Campaigns in 2019.

What’s new for 2019? As well as expanding on current concepts, CHI will also be undertaking
new initiatives. Advertising reach will extend through billboard usage on major national routes
as well as carrying out on-board advertising on ferries. Also for 2019, CHI will be attempting
to carry out an international marketing plan. Coordinating with Cork Airport and operating
PPC, display advertising and re-marketing to key direct access areas in UK initially with direct
Cork Flights to achieve this goal.

The current CHI executive consists of Gillen Joyce of The Titanic Experience, Sean McKeown
and Róisín FitzGerald of Fota Wildlife Park, Séamus Leahy of Fota Island Resort, Derek Binchy
of Fota Island Adventure, Victoria Tammadge of Fota House, Debi French of Radisson Hotel
Little Island and Caitriona and Erik Johansson of Cuskinny Court. The current members list
includes: Cork County Council, Fota House - Arboretum and Gardens, Fota Island Resort, Fota
Island Adventure, Radisson Blu Little Island, Cork Airport Authority, Fota Wildlife Park, Titanic
Experience, Cuskinny Court, Sail Cork, Titanic Trail, Cork Harbour Boat Hire, Commodore
Hotel, Waters Edge Hotel, The Irish Hotel Federation, The Quays Bar & Restaurant, Garyvoe
Hotel, Bayview Hotel, Cobh Road Train, Titanic Bar & Grill, Spike Island, Geaney Hire LTD Car-
rigtwohill, and Port of Cork.
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SPIKE ISLAND AFTER DARK

Spike Island cinema club RETURNS with screenings of the Conjuring 1 and 2, for anyone who
missed our recent screenings. Saturday March 16th for Conjuring 2.

Your journey starts with a ferry ride across cork harbour before our guides take you on a
tour through our past. Hear about the convict prison that held 2300 inmates and centuries
of social life. Then it’s on to grab snacks and head for our children’s prison where we show
your movie. Finally enjoy a nighttime sailing across Cork harbour to Cobh. Tickets at https://
spikeislandcork.digitickets.co.uk/tickets