Cliffs of Moher. Image via CliffsofMoher.ie. The photo was taken by visitor Mihaela Mestereaga of the Great Sea Stack - An Branaunmore
The year of The Gathering for Ireland appears to be having a positive impact for the Cliffs of Moher natural beauty attraction near Doolin, Co Clare. There has been a reported 10.5pc hike in visitor numbers to the cliffs between January and June, compared to the same period in 2012. To coincide, the visitor centre there has given its website Cliffsofmoher.ie a facelift to give potential tourists a more interactive guide of the cliffs, as well as insights into the hot spots to explore in Clare.
CliffsofMoher.ie now features an interactive guide to the visitor attraction and 360-degree panoramic views of the Cliffs of Moher and the visitor centre.
Katherine Webster, director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, said the new-look website focuses on bringing the Cliffs of Moher to the visitor.
She said it has been designed to have a high visual appeal with full-screen background images and video.
“Visitors planning their trip have use of an interactive map with suggested walking routes and can book their tickets online at a discounted price,” she said.
The website is now integrated with social media and digital platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TripAdvisor, Pinterest and Stumbleupon.
The story of the Cliffs of Moher is told along a timeline reaching back into the distant past, said Webster.
Who is visiting Co Clare?
As for the type of tourist who is being drawn to the Cliffs of Moher this year, management at the globally renowned attraction have reported a strong performance by the German and North American tour markets.
Visitor numbers to the Cliffs during the first half of 2013 stood at 404,535.
Overall, group business appears to have increased by 17pc between January and June, while fully independent travellers (FITs) are up 4pc.
“We are delighted with the increase, which reflects the very strong performance from the North American and German group tour market and the new routes into Shannon Airport,” said Webster.
The opening of the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk from Doolin to Hags Head is also proving to be popular with visitors, and has reportedly helped draw additional visitors to Clare.
“The variety of festivals and events for The Gathering is also paying dividends, with communities throughout the county making tremendous efforts to attract international visitors,” said Webster.
