We are more than halfway through 2013, the "Gathering Ireland 2013" (which I believe is its official title). He who does soundbite best, i.e., Michael O'Leary, renamed it "the Grabbing" late last year (http://www.newstalk.ie/OLeary-attacks-The-Gathering-as-rip-off-for-tourists) which some found surprising, given that if the concept worked, it would undoubtedly have some spin-off benefit for Ryanair.
What, if anything, does the Gathering mean? Do you know anyone who made plans to visit Ireland specifically this year, because it was designated The Gathering Ireland 2013? Is it a rip-off or a good idea?
I am a sucker for these sorts of adverts but I must say I tend to agree with Zoe. My initial thoughts on seeing the ad was, "gosh it must be some sort of ancient gathering of the clans that I was not aware of and I had better get myself back to my family". Not to book a holiday and stay in a hotel. It almost excludes tourists being, I think, aimed as it seems to be, at Irish families. Of course we will spend money with airlines and whilst over there, but they should be trying to get business into hotels and shops surely?
Tourism in Ireland has gone not only down the hill, but over the edge, off the cliff, and into the rough waters below, for Ireland.
it's aimed at bringing tourism back, but not to the people who provide tourism, the folks working in the showcave, the castle, nor the hoteliers, but instead to the tourist board. Asking for a small map of the area in a tourist office now comes at the cost of a couple of euros, and they are no longer information centres, they have become tacky souvenier shops. In most countries, you can book a hotel, resto, or boat cruise through the trusty ole tourist offive. in Ireland, you just take a leaflet, for you daren't bother the lady behind the desk, who is engrossed in candy crush saga.
The same goes for the majority of hotels these days. I am shocked at how bad customer service has gotten, I go over twice a year, and everytime, seem to have a horror story.
Ireland has given itself the reputation of being overpriced. Calling tourist season something like "the gathering" is NOT going to boost sales.
I think 'The Gathering' was just a tourism ploy to take people's minds off the economic woes and off course to do some 'Grabbing' of the tourists cash. We go home every year to either the Lough Erne 'mini rally' or the main event as we have many cruising friends on Lough Erne and the Shannon. We thoroughly enjoy the trip home via Irish Ferries and we can stock up with Clonakilty, Bacon and other goodies. My French girlfriend is from Normandy originally, so of course we visit around the region before returning to Narbonne.
This is, I'm afraid, a mark of modern society. Everything is "up for grabs". Grab it quick before anyone else does. Grab it quick because you have no time to waste. It angers me every time I hear it on TV.
I'd had a long day... thanks for adding the plain common fact of the matter.
Brian,
Maybe you should have added to your last sentence: whilst trying to line their own pockets big-time.
Ceud mìle fàilte dhut for the Scots, so Céad míle fáilte .... (don't know the missing word) in Ireland. It is a rip off of the old idea of getting the diaspora to gather. The States and Canada most definitely have had them in the past. What the Irish idea is really, hmmmm, my guess is the politicians are trying to stroke and soothe a few heads after they fecked it all for the people they are supposed to run things for.