The Gathering a good iniative to try and bring more visitors to our shores seems to be going well so far. However it doesn't look like the GAA are completely onboard with them or is The Gathering not onboard with the GAA?

Searching under GAA on their site it's some existing local festivals, some non-GAA activities but it seems to me most people attending these events are GAA people or know about it.

http://www.thegatheringireland.com/Search-Results-Tags.aspx?tagname=GAA#.UZntWK3TW2c

Why doesn't The Gathering encourage tourists, from whatever countries, to go to inter-county matches this summer? Maybe none will go but there'll be loads of games with empty seats. Some marketing person could surely come up with incentives for tourists to go to these games besides discounting tickets. Discount vouchers ir VAT back on tickets are my only plan. I think many foreigners would really love the games and be amazed how rival fans socialise together before and after matches. If you head to Spain you might go to the bullfighting, if you head to the US it's baseball, football or basketball. That's their games, a strong part of their culture. We shouldn't be shy about showing our amazing sports to visitors to Ireland.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8606 - 20/05/2013 10:56:06    1387050

The Gathering a good iniative to try and bring more visitors to our shores seems to be going well so far.

Is it?

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 20/05/2013 11:13:22    1387077

It is Culann. It's a "good" "initiative" to "try" and bring in "more" visitors to our shores "seems" to be "going well"! It's not a great working plan bringing in loads and loads of tourists this year. Hoteliers and publicans ringing radio stations complaining about less money. The Championship games are some of the best crowd pullers this summer. I bet you The Gathering committee or board or whatever haven't been onto the GAA to let them know if there'll be empty seats at matches. There'll be tourists staying in Jurys Croke Park before matchdays this summer. They won't have any idea a match is coming up. Why can't get The Gathering let hotels know that The GAA have empty seats and will give the hotel a €20 ticket for €10. Hotel gives it complimentary to it's guest who goes to match , buys programme, sandwich, coffee and pints at nearest pub. People getting a few extra quid from a previously empty seat. I was in The Gathering office in the airport before Christmas. No mention of Championship 2013. I'm probably naive but it's typically Irish that everyone knocks the Gathering without getting involved, a good idea which, up-to-now isn't realising much of it's potential. Tourists land, get incentives to go see a uniquely Irish sport they've never seen bfore. They spend a few quid and hopefully love the games and spread the word. Very naive.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8606 - 20/05/2013 11:52:03    1387115