KILLARNEY is leading the way in social media marketing by encouraging visitors and locals to go online and share their love for the town.
The public is being asked to take a photograph or write a post about Killarney, tag it with #lovekillarney and upload it to a social media platform like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
This simple action allows the snapshots and posts to be shared online and viewed right around the world. The use of this hashtag will group the information in one massive online news stream which can act as a pocket guide to Killarney.
#lovekillarney is the brainchild of local woman Noretta Brosnan who is the social media co-ordinator for Destination Killarney.
“It’s the 21st century postcard. More and more people are taking and sharing photos on the go,” she explained.
“By capturing all these images under one hashtag, we can promote Killarney online like never before.”
Experience
Noretta said the posts can be about anything and everything, like an experience on a jaunting cart, a hike on Ireland’s highest mountain or even enjoying a pint with friends.
“The opportunities are endless. Visitors are more likely to visit Killarney if they see or read about real people enjoying real life experiences,” said the project leader.
“When people create and share beautiful or fun pictures or posts of Killarney they’re endorsing the town.”
The #lovekillarney campaign is not a new concept as holiday giants like Tourism Australia and Destination British Columbia have already rolled out similar promotions with great success.
Tourism Australia invited fans to take and post pictures using the hashtag #seeaustralia and two and a half years later, members of the public were posting over 1,000 pictures every day.
While it is a marketing tool, the beauty of this concept is that it costs nothing.
Uploading
Killarney businesses are asked to promote the hashtag #lovekillarney wherever and whenever possible, while visitors and locals are asked to use it when uploading Killarney-related content online.
To learn more about #lovekillarney the public is invited to attend the Here Comes the Summer Killarney Tourism and Trade evening which will take place in the INEC, Killarney on April 30 at 6.30pm.
