1996/99
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Booming Westport determined to retain "paradise" tag
25 March 1998
"CURFEW" ON TROUBLEMAKE
By Tom Sheil
AS WESTPORT prepares for possibly its busiest tourism season ever, Gardai, as well as tourism and community leaders, are determined that the town should remain an attractive and peaceful holiday destination.
The Garda attitude was indicated by Supt Frank Gunter at the local District Court on Friday when he asked Judge Daniel Shields to take tough measures against two young offenders who might cause disruption during the upcoming tourist season.
The Judge responded by imposing "curfews" on the youngsters who had earlier pleaded guilty to a spate of serious crimes in the area.
One of the teenagers had threatened Gardai and their wives. He was described by a Garda as "a violent young man with drink, a dangerous man".
DETERMINATION
Not alone is there a determination in Westport to ensure that visitors to the area are not troubled by criminals or vandalism, the local tourist authority is anxious that "undesirables" should not be attracted to the area.
Mr Pat Aylward, Chairman of Westport Tourism, told the Connaught Telegraph yesterday (Tuesday): "Westport has built up a reputation as a place which attracts the best type of visitor. We want to ensure things remain that way".
Mr Aylward said Westport Tourism, mindful of the huge growth in volume of visitors to the area in recent years, is keeping a close watch on developments in other areas and were very mindful of the pitfalls.
STAG PARTIES
"In particular, we don't want to see people coming to the town for such events as stag parties. We want to avoid that type of clientele and have been successful so far".
Tourist numbers to Westport have trebled in recent years with a particular growth in Conference business because of the extra hotel space available.
Last weekend, the annual Victim Support Conference was held in the town and the Union of Students in Ireland is holding its annual Congress there at the moment.
Westport Tourism is going flat out for further Conference business and has a particular interest in attracting major events such as the annual general meetings of the teaching organisations which are traditionally held at Easter every year.
According to Mr Aylward, the town has its eye on securing the annual Lions Conference in 1999. This has the capacity to pack every hotel and B&B in the Westport area and even further afield.
"We have an exact vision of where we are going but want to tread carefully as regards attracting the right customer", Mr. Aylward stated.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - March 1998
