THE call has gone out for the Council to reintroduce the street ambassador programme, a move one councillor believes will greatly enhance visitor experience to Limerick City.
The street ambassadors initiative was an innovative pilot programme, last in place in 2015, whereby highly visible guides wearing red jackets walked around the city centre helping visitors with any queries they had.
Labour councillor Joe Leddin took the view at June’s Metropolitan District meeting that first impressions can be hugely impactful on whether visitors will return to a place or business based on a positive experience.
“These street ambassadors also reported on a variety of issues that they came across from street litter to graffiti or illegal car parking. The feedback from the public on the initiative that was undertaken in partnership with the former Limerick Coordination Office was positive and I am asking the Mayor to consider the reintroduction of a similar scheme,” Cllr Leddin said.
“Limerick has a lot to offer across tourism, heritage, and cultural offerings and venues, and sometimes visitors may only have a day or so to visit, therefore advice and assistance on where to go and what to visit is, I believe, invaluable.”
In response, Limerick City and County Council explained that there is no budget provision for street ambassadors in 2025.
“Should budget be made available, the Tourism section would be happy to assess the success of the previous programme and the merit of reintroducing the programme in the future,” he was told.
