Plans are in place to market Donegal as the destination of choice for Irish visitors in 2021.
Donegal County Council has revealed that a new all-Ireland marketing campaign will target the staycation market this year and invite them to ‘Reset, Reconnect, Rediscover‘ Donegal.
The council is also planning a new tourism strategy to plot the road to recovery and development for the local tourism sector. Consultants are set to be appointed this month to develop the strategy, which will aim to have high engagement with key stakeholders including tourism providers and local communities.
The council said it is pivoting tourism activities in response to Covid-19.
As part of a suite of measures, a new €500,000 innovative tourism minor works scheme is being developed. It is expected that funding will be allocated for this scheme in the next two months.
A further €200,000 Tourism Product/Business Development Programme is being devised to support businesses as they develop their offerings to meet the needs of “increasing discerning visitors “.
Cross-border tourism activities will see the a €100,000 North West Tourism Product Development Programme formed to support approx 30 businesses (15 in Donegal and 15 in Derry) to enhance their offering when Covid restrictions are lifted.
Funding has also been secured under the Rural Development (LEADER) Programme to launch an international marketing campaign promoting Donegal, Sligo and Mayo in overseas markets including the US. Once Covid restrictions are lifted, this initiative aims to enable to compete in lucrative markets such as the US.
Featured image: Slieve League. Photo: Paul Lindsay, Tourism Ireland
