Record numbers visit Fota Wildlife Park in 2011

Record numbers visit Fota Wildlife Park in 2011

Fota Wildlife Park, one of Cork's best loved tourist attractions has announced that they have once again welcomed record numbers through their gates in 2011. 

Over 390,000 people have visited this fantastic attraction over the last 12 months which is fantastic news not only for Fota but also for the wider area. Research conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes showed that "46% of all visitors that visit the park stay in paid for accommodation overnight with the majority staying in hotels. The survey also showed that these visitors are staying an average 3 or 4 nights in the area; with a total spend of €146m." (www.fotawildlife.ie) This just goes to show the huge effect an attraction, such as Fota, can have on it's local area. 

As Stephan Ryan, Head of Marketing, points out " Mr Ryan believes that the current economic climate is also playing a part in the increase, "people are looking for good deals at home and we have seen a huge increase in Irish holiday makers here at the park in particular the Leinster area which now accounts for 28% of all our visitors and we believe that this is being helped with the package deals we have established with many of the leading hotels in Cork". (www.fotawildlife.com) This is fantastic news for all Irish attractions, and indeed hotels and B&B's around the country as they come out of what was a difficult winter. 

Who wouldn't want to visit and see these guys??

I don't know about everyone out there by I for one am extremely glad to see such a fantastic attraction doing well. Fota Wildlife Park, for me is an iconic image of my childhood!! Although I must admit, I have been back since and folks. . . It's better than ever, well worth a visit!!

A little video below giving you a tour of what there is to see at Fota Wildlife Park:

For more information check out: www.fotawildlife.ie