Fáilte Ireland has launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Co Sligo.
The Sligo Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by progressing a range of key initiatives that will disperse tourists across the wider destination and strengthen the value of tourism to the local community by providing sustainable employment opportunities.
Key stakeholders in the area were consulted and contributed to the plan including Sligo County Council, the Destination Sligo Forum, tourism businesses and community groups.
A representative working group drawn from across the tourism sector in County Sligo was a key partner in the development of the plan.
The five-year plan provides a shared vision and clear direction towards improved development, strengthening the promotion of the area’s unique features by growing the destination’s market share through the delivery of priority projects and experiences that seek to maximise the key strengths of the area.
It builds on the ambition of the Wild Atlantic Way Regional Tourism Development Strategy and will be key to growing the value of tourism in the northern half of the region.
The plan builds on a number of existing destination development projects that will bring local experiences to life including the National Surf Centre Strandhill, a National Mountain Bike Centre in Coolaney, new state-of-the-art facilities for outdoor water-based activities at Enniscrone and Rosses Point.
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said: “This five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan for Sligo builds on the ambition of the Wild Atlantic Way Regional Tourism Development Strategy to position Sligo as a catalyst destination for regional tourism development and transform how visitors engage with the northern half of the region. One of the key pillars called out in the plan is capitalising on Sligo’s opportunity to be recognised as the outdoor activity and adventure capital of the Wild Atlantic Way.
“Fáilte Ireland has invested in a range of capital investment projects to help drive this ambition including the National Surf Centre in Strandhill, a National Mountain Bike Centre in Coolaney and water-based activities facilities at Enniscrone and Rosses Point. Local consultation and input was central, and this collaborative approach provided local stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute and shape the plan.
“We are confident that this DEDP has the potential to significantly increase Sligo’s domestic and international appeal, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities.”
Sligo DEDP Co-Chair Gerard Moore (Sligo Park Hotel) said: “I look forward with confidence to the implementation of the Sligo Destination and Experience Development Plan. The plan sets out the actions, priorities and future investment for the area and is designed to not only enhance the visitor’s experience but also for the benefit of the local communities who live and work here. As Co-Chair of a passionate and ambitious industry-led stakeholder group, we are committed to the successful completion of this plan that aims to sustainably grow the year-round economic value of tourism activity in Sligo as a destination.”
The Sligo Development Plan has been developed through a collaborative approach and will be dependent on local tourism businesses, stakeholders and local communities working with Fáilte Ireland to implement this plan over next five years.
