Glenveagh National Park is one of five rural tourist hotspots along the Wild Atlantic Way and beyond to benefit from a €500,000 funding boost.
Fáilte Ireland will be investing capital funding of €500,000 into the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) with a view to growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and increasing Ireland’s appeal as a holiday destination.
This initial funding will focus on five National Parks and five Nature Reserves along the Wild Atlantic Way, which include Glenveagh National Park, with a view to undertaking feasibility, scoping and design of tourism projects at these sites.
Other sites to benefit from the funding include The Burren National Park, Clare; Killarney National Park, Kerry; Ballycroy National Park, Mayo; Connemara National Park, Galway; and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Wicklow.
Announcing the partnership in Ballycroy National Park, Co. Mayo, Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD said:
“This new strategic partnership between Fáilte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is an excellent example of state agencies proactively working together to advance a shared objective to the benefit of local communities.
“The funding will undoubtedly allow for the design of excellent tourism projects building on the strengths of each location, as well as further promoting our National Parks and Nature Reserves for visitors and tourists.”
Today’s strategic partnership brings together the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fáilte Ireland to achieve the shared goal of further developing quality visitor experiences at Ireland’s National Parks and Nature Reserves. Commenting on the collaboration, Minister for State for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring said –
“Ireland’s six National Parks are there for all of the people of this country to enjoy. They are also a wonderful draw for tourists and demonstrate the beautiful variety of Ireland’s natural heritage. Our national parks form an integral part of our national tourism product, and can play a key role in regional development.”
Nature-based tourism is a large and growing component of international tourism. Ireland’s National Parks with their unique and stunning landscapes, natural heritage and large spaces have the potential to become ‘must visit’ locations on visitor itineraries. Speaking today, Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Strategic Development, Orla Carroll emphasised:
“We know from our own research that more and more visitors want to experience the Irish landscape up-close and personal. Our national parks can do just that – by unlocking this potential we can give our visitors a real opportunity to get back to nature and get in touch with Ireland.”
This announcement is a one of a number of investment projects Fáilte Ireland is working on and in December last year, the tourism agency unveiled a €550k partnership with Coillte focusing on the state owned forestry sites.
In addition, 2016 saw the launch of a new Fáilte Ireland Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects with a pool of €65m to invest in and develop new, or boost existing, tourism experiences and attractions across Ireland. The first round of applications is currently being assessed.
Tags:
