Tourism is a mammoth industry here in Eire, but aside from the predictable TikTok posts and a flurry of banal reasons that travel ‘influencers’ waffle on about to get a few more likes on their video, the best (and only) way to truly explore Salt Hill is to understand the big events that drive interest.
It’s the same throughout Ireland; you could have a beautiful, quaint town or city, but if it doesn’t have a notable event that helps bring people in from far and wide, then there’s only so much a hashtag or viral clip can do.
Capturing the power of online marketing
Now, that’s not to say that there isn’t a market that can be harnessed online. You only need to explore the popularity of online casino games and the way in which some local Irish platforms have expanded into highly successful international operations to see that there’s definitely a market for social media marketing when it is done right.
Admittedly, accessing online casino games and exploring Salt Hill are two very different kettles of fish, but the point remains the same. If you have a product with a USP or an introductory event that helps to bring people on board, then you’ll stand a better chance of turning these people into customers. It’s the same for tourism in Salt Hill as it is in the world of online casinos.
Events that keep people active and bring in tourism
It’s a delicate balancing act between showcasing what Salt Hill provides and ensuring that it appeals to the broadest audience possible. There’s the open-water swim, which starts at Aughinish in County Clare and finishes at the Blackrock Tower, attracting swimmers from all over Ireland.
If you’re not a keen swimmer, then there are plenty of other active events that bring in people from all over. The 10k around Claddagh Quay is one of the most scenic spots in Ireland. Although I’ve only done it at a walking pace, I must admit that it’s these crossover events that help bring in audiences from all over the world.
Marathons aren’t my cup of tea, but with the immense popularity of fitness influencers online, long-distance events can trend online or get into the right algorithm. In the modern era, this can result in hundreds more runners showing up, compared to events in the past.
Providing a glimpse into Irish culture
Social media is a hotbed for travel bloggers and influencers who spend large parts of their trip getting the perfect pose, just so they can post it online and tell everyone about what a grand old time they’re having. I might be getting grumpy in my old age, but whatever happened to going to a city or town, speaking to the locals, and not being glued to your phone every 12 seconds?
Well, there’s no point in me moaning about it. The fact of the matter is, digital platforms are the new battleground for marketers, and you only have to look at the number of viral trends that have taken off on TikTok and Instagram to see that Irish culture, countryside, culture and tradition are things that bring in millions of euros in tourism money per year.
Some experts have even argued that the dependence on specific types of tourism, such as those who travel from the US, showcases that the industry needs to have a few more strings to its bow. In any event, so many people from all over the world are of Irish descent and want to travel to Galway, as many of them have traced their family here.
Perhaps not Salt Hill specifically, but the An Tóstal Maritime Festival, the Cúirt International Festival of Literature and the Galway International Arts Festival are events that have been growing in popularity since the start of this decade, with several clips getting a large global audience on social media.
Final thoughts
As local businesses grapple with modern advances like AI, it’s essential to strike a balance for those who have been involved in the Salt Hill tourism sector. Embracing social media is inevitable, and increasingly, it appears as though there’s now also a duty to embrace AI.
While these technologies are perceived as something that can bring us closer together, and they are very handy tools for those looking to find cheap and insightful ways to see what Salt Hill has to offer, it’s crucial to get a good idea by seeking out festivals and big events you most like the look of, and doing plenty of planning to ensure you get the full, positive experience.
You’re not just exploring it through the lens of an influencer who has been able to sell a pretty but inaccurate picture of what to expect; you want an experience that you can feel rather than one to simply post on social media to tell people you have been there.
