The head of Oideas Gael Liam Ó Cuinneagáin says Donegal should take the lead in developing Campervan facilities.
The increase in visitor numbers to the Northwest of Ireland and to Donegal, in particular, brings benefits but also challenges.
The well-known Irish language and community activist said the roads to Gleann Cholm Cille and Southwest Donegal are currently busy with many vehicles, in particular camper vans.
He said his organisation welcome camping visitors and are more than glad to see them coming even though there are insufficient facilities to cater for their needs.
“The myth was that campervan tourists are not beneficial to the economy; this is partially true because we are not offering them proper services and facilities. In contrast, the NW coast of France offers many high-quality campsites on similar terrain with fully serviced sites.
“Visitors travelling in camper-vans boost the Donegal economy if we offer them high quality facilities; they will stay longer, spend money on food and beverages, entertainment not to mention craft products. More people will be employed with resultant improvement in the environment.”
Donegal County Council should take a pro-active lead in harnessing this tourism opportunity, he said.
“This morning alone (Wednesday 19th July), six camper vans pulled up at a local tourism premises here in Gleann Cholm Cille, in order to deposit their refuse into the black and blue bins. As they have no other option, they must do this. Though hey respect our environment they have limited means for despatching their waste.
“Donegal County Council should seek expressions of interests from landowners in the four main peninsular regions to gauge the possibility of developing full-serviced and maintained sites. The Inis Eoghan, Ros Goill, Cloch Cheann Fhaola and the Sliabh Liag region are particularly busy with campervans and would be ideal locations.
“The campervan visitor will keep coming so we ought to develop the opportunities to cater properly for them.”
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