Regional strategy (RSES) · Northern and Western Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032
The regional strategy for the Northern and Western Region, including the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Northern and Western Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 320 pages
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- TOURISM CORE ASSET: INDIGENOUS ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION The sustainable development and promotion of a successful well managed tourism industry is critical to the economy of this region. This strategy takes note of the overall Government policy, as set out in People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025. In particular, it takes note of the policy proposal that consideration be given to the contribution that sustainable tourism can make to the protection of heritage assets. While the region boasts destinations that contribute to it being one of the leading tourist places in Ireland, a stronger year-round product needs to be developed. The Northern and Western region is host to some of Europe’s most spectacular and unique landscapes, wildest coastlines, and home to a strong cultural and heritage offer. Up to now, our region has predominantly hosted domestic tourists, however, the aim is to significantly increase the share of overseas visitors coming into our region over the next decade, and beyond. Underpinning the new tourism agenda is the concept of Sustainable Tourism, which provides a highquality product, based on, and in harmony with, a high-quality natural environment. Providing a sustainable framework to tourism development will ensure adverse impacts upon local communities, archaeology, built heritage, landscapes and habitats are minimised while at the same time ensuring economic benefits accruing to local economies are maximised. Figure 45: Share of Tourists by County (Source: Fáilte Ireland Key Facts, 2019) GALWAY 58.53% 11.00% 8.58% 3.75% 2.19% 1.98% 3.13% 10.84% DONEGAL SLIGO CAVAN MONAGHAN ROSCOMMON LEITRIM MAYONorthern & Western Regional Assembly 151 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- RURAL TOURISM In most rural areas tourism is an integral component of wider rural enterprise and should be developed in an integrated manner whenever possible. Rural tourism involves visits to rural settings or rural environments to participate in or experience activities, events or attractions not readily available in urbanised areas. These are not necessarily agricultural in nature but are usually closely linked with agricultural activity and are often associated with rural sites of a heritage nature, such as archaeological monuments. The RSES will support rural tourism initiatives concerned with agri-tourism, rural enterprise and conservation of natural heritage together with sites that are also important for cultural, archaeological or built heritage reasons. OUR KEY TOURIST ASSETS There are numerous key assets, which will continue to drive visitor numbers upwards over the coming decades. It is vital that these assets are protected, and where necessary enhanced. The Wild Atlantic Way Touring Route has developed into a Key Strategic National Asset, delivering benefits to the entire western seaboard. The Hidden Heartlands and the Ancient East brands can realise the potential for other parts of the region over the coming years. Along this route, and beyond, there are numerous key strategic assets which will continue to act as tourism magnets and drive substantial visitor numbers across a wider area. Figure 46: Ireland’s Regional Experience Brands (Source: Fáilte Ireland)Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 152 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- Table 8: National Visitor Numbers National Visitor Numbers Numbers Employed: Hospitality and Tourism Sector Net Worth to the Economy (Approx) 2017: 10.65m 2016: 225,000 €1.78 bn 2028: Growth at 7-8% per annum (estimated 15-20m) 2028: 338,000 €3 bn The Strategic Priority identified from our RSES engagement process is to ensure across the family of Fáilte Ireland Brands that this region ensures adequate investment in the following areas: 1. Visitor Experience Development: Capital investment in flagship tourism products that can create scale. 2. Visitor Awareness: Experiences, products and places are appropriately and comparably marketed and that IWAK and our key seaports are promoted as international access points. 3. Enablers: Resources, Capital Programme and Capacity Building are three requirements to address the imbalance in tourist visitor numbers. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 4.1 To support working with relevant landholders and recreational/tourism agencies to increase access to the countryside and our coastal areas, and to ensure maintenance and access to the existing network of trails, paths, ways etc. RPO 4.2 To support the maintenance of, and enhanced access to state lands, such as National Parks, Forest Parks, Waterways together with Monuments and Historic Properties, for recreation and tourism purposes. RPO 4.3 To support the preparation and implementation of Visitor Experience Development Plans (VEDPs) within the Northern and Western Region, to underpin the overarching regional tourism benefits and to promote the natural and cultural assets of the region.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 153 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- TOURISM BRANDING PROPOSITIONS Visitor Experience Development Plans (VEDPs) will continue to be prepared by Fáilte Ireland in association with a range of stakeholders, including Local Authorities, and members of the Tourism industry. The purpose of these plans is to realise the sustainable economic potential of mature, or developing Tourism areas. VEPD’s are built on solid partnership’s, and collaboration amongst all parties, public and private. ® g Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and traversing north-west Leitrim. g East of Cavan Town and Monaghan g West of Cavan Town, Galway, Roscommon and Leitrim. Significant regional differences exist in the current movement pattern of visitors to Ireland, and this RSES aims to assist in bringing an increased market share to the Northern and Western Region. This will include the identification of Destination Towns/Hubs, which will have a specific role in catering for significant additional numbers of visitors. It is noteworthy that despite the outstanding offer of the region, currently of the Top 20 Visitor Attractions in the Country, only two lie within this region (Kylemore Abbey and Glenveagh National Park) (Source: Fáilte Ireland, June 2018). KEY ELEMENTS OF OUR TOURISM STRATEGY g A tiered hierarchy of Tourism provisions in both rural and urban areas, to support the sustainable development of ‘Destination Towns’, following Fáilte Ireland’s Development Guidelines for Destination Towns. g Additional tourist supporting leisure and amenity infrastructure in the areas of recreation, entertainment, culture, catering, accommodation, transport and water services. g Explore shared provision of access, parking, public transport to designated key rural sites for target activities (e.g. walking, cycling, water sports and golf). g Make the best use of locally distinctive cultural attributes, bringing a unique visitor experience (language, music, crafts, arts, food). g New proposals for activity tourism, particularly in rural areas, National Park’s, uplands, coasts and rivers. g Proposals for county-based monitoring and management structures. This will allow for the identification of threats/effects on popular sites, and mitigation where necessary. Galway is the dominant destination within the region, with almost six times the number of visitors compared to the second most visited County - Mayo. The vision for the growth of the Tourist industry over the next ten years, and beyond must seek to extend the region’s overall share, and this can be achieved through several specific place making actions, some of which are outlined in other sections.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 154 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- Figure 47: Overnight Stays in Ireland 2014 CASE STUDY BALLYCROY NATIONAL PARK, NORTH COUNTY MAYO Ballycroy National Park is Irelands 6th National Park and covers an area which includes one of the largest expanses of intact blanket bog’s in Europe, is a nationally important habitat for Flora and Fauna, and Natura 2000 site, which extends to 11,000 hectares. Mayo is home to Ireland’s first dark sky initiative spans across an area of 150km2. The Dark Skies zone encompasses Ballycroy National Park and an area along the NW Mayo Coast. As well as a recent expansion in the overall area of the park, where 5,000 ha. of primarily forested land was incorporated into the park, in August 2018, a total of €2.1m in funding was announced for Ballycroy NP, to develop a 56km cycle track, which will link with the established Western Greenway, extending Northwards to Ballycastle. This will further enhance the visitor offering in the North Mayo Region and increase amenities within the zone of influence of the Wild Atlantic Way.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 155 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- OUR TOURISM DESTINATION BRANDING WILD ATLANTIC WAY ® KEY DESTINATION TOWNS: Always On (Year Round): g Galway, Sligo, Letterkenny, Ballina, Westport, Donegal Town Seasonal: g Clifden, Buncrana, Bellmullet, Achill, Bundoran Our region has several key centres, which act as Tourism Hubs, both in terms of overnight destinations and as onward destinations to some of our key tourist sites. These towns can be divided into ‘Always On (Year Round)’ and ‘Seasonal’. The towns listed have the available bed-night stock, potential to expand, and are strategically positioned to serve as vacation points to facilitate onward travel to some of the region’s most outstanding assets, and natural attractions. The tourism industry needs to develop the off-peak season, to ensure a significant number of visitors travel into the region over the shoulder seasons (Easter to May and September to October), to grow its share of annual visitors, which in turn will extend the tourist season across much of the NWRA. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 4.4 That the Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) touring network and visitor attractions within the region shall be upgraded and improved to cater for the growth in visitor cars, buses, and cyclists using the route. RPO 4.5 To enhance access to our tourist assets, including the development of a Coastal Walking/Cycling Route along the Western Seaboard, which extends generally along the Route of the WAW, and incorporates existing resources, such as beaches, ports, harbours, piers and marinas. This coastal route to be subject to a route option analysis, and feasibility study in Counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. Stakeholders will include Fáilte Ireland, NWRA, the relevant local authorities and the public.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 156 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- Galway Westport Ballina Sligo Letterkenny Donegal TownFigure 48: Examples of Always On Destinations LETTERKENNY Always on bed-stock of 4,200. Gateway for Donegal headlands, Fanad Head, Malin Head, and Rossguill and Glenveagh National Park and Derryveagh Mountains. DONEGAL TOWN Always on bed-stock of 1,200. Main gateway for South Donegal, within reach of Sliabh Liag Cliffs, SE Donegal, the Bluestack Mountains, and Donegal Bay. BALLINA Bed-stock of 1,300. Onward destinations include the Ceide Fields, and Ballycroy National Park. WESTPORT Significant tourist centre with various attractions, including Westport House. Always on bedstock of 3,600, Gateway to Croagh Patrick, Achill and West Mayo. SLIGO Always on bedstock of over 1,500, Gateway to North Mayo, Lissadell, Glencar, Benbulben, the Surf Coast. GALWAY Always on bed-stock of over 7,000: Close proximity to Shannon Airport, Ireland West Airport Knock, Gateway to the Northern half of the WAW, and onward destinations such as the Aran Islands, Connemara, and West Mayo.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 157 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- OUR TOURISM DESTINATION BRANDING IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST KEY DESTINATION TOWNS: g Cavan Town and Monaghan Town Ireland’s Ancient East (IAE) has been developed by Fáilte Ireland as a branded visitor experience encompassing the rich heritage and cultural assets that Ireland has to offer in the midlands/eastern half of the country, providing a counterbalance to the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast. Both Cavan and Monaghan Town are within easy travel time from Dublin and this presents an opportunity to build capacity in bed-nights and to develop potential as day trip destinations from Dublin and Belfast. Further to building capacity, there are many cultural and heritage attractions in the mid border region, which are currently subject to upgrade, and investment, these include Breifne Way, Ulster Canal, Castle Saunderson, Cavan Burren, Lough Muckno, and the Patrick Kavanagh Trail. The next 10 years will see significant growth in tourism numbers, and the continued expansion of this sector requires additional visitor facilities, additional bed-nights (across all categories of accommodation) in our main tourist Destination Towns (i.e. those with the greatest bed-night capacity, and where onward travel to visitor attractions can be easily facilitated). Over the next decade, it is estimated Ireland will have to increase its bed-stock by approximately 50%. Conditions must be created to ensure this target is met in this region, through appropriate provision of necessary accommodation within Hotels, Hostels, Airbnb, and Camping Facilities etc. at our Tourist Destination Towns. Supporting infrastructural investment will also be necessary, including improvements to the public realm, transport links, accommodation, night-time economy and harnessing our natural and built heritage and developing our cultural infrastructure.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 158 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 4.6 To ensure provision is made for the expansion in accommodation and facilities within Destination Towns. Supporting infrastructural investment will also be provided, including improvements to the public realm, transport links, accommodation, night-time economy and the sustainable development of our natural and built heritage. RPO 4.7 To establish potential tourist and amenity attractions of scale in the Cavan/Monaghan region, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the relevant local authorities. RPO 4.8 Ensure that ‘Discovery Points’ targeting Irelands Ancient East are included for Cavan/ Monaghan as enablers for increasing bed nights and visitor numbers.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 159 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- OUR TOURISM DESTINATION BRANDING IRELAND’S HIDDEN HEARTLANDS KEY DESTINATION TOWNS: g Carrick on Shannon, Roscommon Town, Athlone and Ballinasloe Fáilte Ireland’s newest brand destination presents significant opportunities for counties Roscommon, Leitrim, west Cavan and east Galway rebranding the midlands as ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ as a way to boost tourism in the area. The area extends beyond the northern and western region into County Longford and parts of counties Westmeath, North Tipperary and Offaly. The River Shannon will be a central focus of the brand, and a ‘Shannon Masterplan’ is proposed to focus tourism concentration on and around the river and in surrounding towns. It will focus on the River Shannon, the development of new food networks and trails and the creation of new walking hubs are part of the campaign to attract a larger number of visitors. The plan is to entice visitors with the area’s walkways and lakes, and the campaign will promote activities like walking, cycling, fishing and boating. A walkway and trail network, the Beara Breifne Way, will have an extensive reach, with many towns along the route to be identified as “walking hubs.” REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 4.9 To ensure provision is made for the expansion in accommodation, and facilities within key destination towns, such as Carrick on Shannon, Cavan, Roscommon Town and Athlone, together with necessary supporting infrastructural investments, including improvements in the public realm, transport links, accommodation, the night-time economy, and sustainable development of our natural and built economy. RPO 4.10 To ensure Orientation and Information Points targeted at ‘Slow Tourism’ market are provided at key Towns, such as Carrick on Shannon, Athlone, and Ballinasloe as an enabler for increasing bed-nights, and visitor numbers. RPO 4.11 To upgrade Public Transport infrastructural facilities in Destination Towns, including the provision of Transport Hubs/Links, and additional accommodation. RPO 4.12 Develop the water-based leisure sector in the region in a sustainable manner making the best use of existing and planned infrastructure and resources, in a manner that is sensitive to the natural and cultural heritage resources.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 160 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
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