Ireland Alliance

05-May-2011

    The Greater Palm Bay Chamber is in the beginning stages of aligning with a “sister” chamber in Cashel, Ireland according to Victoria Northrup, Chamber president & chief executive officer.

 

 

    “This is a very exciting new venture for us,” stated Northrup. “We are not aware of the Palm Bay Chamber ever forming an alliance with a European chamber in the 23-year history of the organization.”

 

 

    Mike Ryan, president of the Cashel Chamber, was introduced to the Palm Bay Chamber through Tres Holton, former Palm Bay city councilman who visited Cashel in early February and suggested the two chambers exchange introductory emails to determine if an alliance was beneficial. Ryan and Northrup are discussing the use of video conferencing to facilitate a partnership to promote tourism. Ryan, a lifelong resident of the Cashel area has led his borough’s Chamber for the past two years. The Cashel Chamber of Commerce, in existence for 34 years, has seen a steady increase in tourism over the past decade.                                           

 

 

    Cashel, a small town in the mid-southern portion of Ireland, has a population of about 3,000, with a hinterland of 20,000. It is considered a sacred destination as it is home to the famous Rock of Cashel, the medieval ruins of a great Celtic cathedral built between 1235 and 1270. The structure was the seat of the High Kings of Munster for many years.  It attracts both young and senior-aged visitors each year as the gothic mystique is a draw for travelers.

 

 

    Through the use of Tourist Development Council grant funding, the Palm Bay Chamber is working with local hoteliers on a South Florida vacation contest. Northrup sees the relationship with the Irish chamber flourishing over the coming months and through the use of promotional literature and tours, is laying the groundwork for the two chambers to promote each other’s city next year. One such hotel is Comfort Suites on Malabar Road, off I95.

 

    “As a trustee member of the Palm Bay Chamber, the Comfort Suites plans to develop special tours and vacation packages for our Irish sister-chamber,” stated Northrup. Management at the Comfort Suites experience working with international travelers and has successfully packaged tours for specific cultures over the past decade.

 

 

    Palm Bay’s current tourism marketing efforts include promoting the city’s close access to theme parks, eco-tourist destinations, beaches and many other amenities while offering very competitive rates on hotels, car rentals and dining. Travelers can expect to pay 50-75% less in Palm Bay than they would in Orlando or other major Florida cities.

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