Summer is fast approaching, and preparations are well and truly underway to make this one, Waterford’s best yet, with an array of upcoming festivals, plenty of live music gigs and a variety of museum experiences, outdoor activities alongside food and accommodation options that will leave visitors spoilt for choice!
To highlight the extent of what our county has to offer, Visit Waterford launched its 2024 campaign “Dive into Waterford” earlier this week, accompanied by a Spotify playlist featuring musicians from Waterford.
The campaign also consists of 6 itineraries, each focusing on one major aspect, whether that is taking a “Dive Into Flavour” or a “Dive Into the Wilds of Waterford.” Each section recommends highlights to make the visitors experience both unique and unforgettable as well as providing a great guideline for everything from a great nights sleep to a day full of adventure.
Speaking at the Visit Waterford launch in Tramore, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Joe Conway said, “Ireland’s oldest city has enjoyed a range of award wins, from the ‘Best Place to Live’ to, ‘Best Place to Visit’ and more. So now, it is time for Waterford to shine and for visitors, now is the time to visit and take the opportunity to take a ‘dive into’ all that Waterford has to offer. We are so fortunate to enjoy a 147km unspoilt coastline, backed by two mountain ranges and the stunning Waterford Greenway connecting it all. There has always been a date in the future when the culmination of enormous investment in Waterford’s tourism product would arrive, and I believe that date has now arrived.”
In reference to the launch of ‘Dive Into Waterford’ Director of Visit Waterford Mealla Fahey says, “We have developed a range of itineraries for visitors to take the opportunity to take a dive into our heritage, our coastline, our food, the wilderness of Waterford, Waterford’s activities and of course Waterford’s luxury offering.
Chair of Visit Waterford Sara Dolan says, “Waterford has seen some significant international media attention with its place on the ‘Best Places to Visit 2024’ New York Times list and its ‘Top Tip’ recommendation from Conde Nast Traveller and being awarded European City of Christmas. We know that those wins and features have driven even more media coverage and thus visitor interest. Our website traffic has increased by 250% so far this year and moreso, within the hotel sector, bookings are already ahead of this year, especially for Christmas break bookings as visitors plan for Winterval 2024.”
Yet another exciting element of the campaign is the launch of a new social media-based photography competition. This encourages contestants to capture a shot of Waterford during their visit, whether that is of a historical landmark, the beautiful coastline, or another interpretation entirely.
For those wishing to enter, all you have to do is post a photograph to Instagram, X or Facebook; when doing so you must tag @VisitWaterford and you must use the #DiveIntoWaterford hashtag and post your image before the 31st of August 2024. Entries will also be accepted by emailing: photos@visitwaterford.com
Finalists will be selected at the beginning of September and contacted – once they then submit a high-resolution copy of their image via email, along with their details the top 30 images will be posted on Visit Waterford’s Facebook page for a public voting period to select the winning image for the 2024 Visit Waterford photography competition.
In addition, the finalist’s images will be hosted in a public exhibition at Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford in September 2024 where the finalists will be invited to an occasion and the winner will be announced. The exhibition will also be hosted online at VisitWaterford.com The winner will also be awarded a wonderful overnight stay at Dooley’s Hotel in Waterford plus a day out for themselves and 3 of their friends so that they can dive into all that Waterford has to offer. They will be treated to a tasty and adventurous day out in Waterford beginning in the City with 4 Freedom of Waterford passes from Waterford Treasures, followed by Brunch for 4 at The Stables Cafe with a jaunt to Tramore after brunch to enjoy access at the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens followed by an adrenalin filled afternoon at The Dunmore East Adventure Centre and rounding off the day with a delicious dinner for 4 at East Pier in Dunmore East.
To follow the success of Visit Waterford’s campaign launch 2024, be sure to check out the following as well as further coverage in The Irish Times and The Irish Examiner.
