Fáilte Ireland backs Wexford tourism strategy

FÁILTE IRELAND has backed Wexford’s tourism strategy which aims to attract one million people per year into the county by 2023.

The Wexford Tourism Strategy was debated at length at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council. Its aims include boosting tourist numbers by almost 20 per cent over the coming five years.

Tom Banville of Wexford Enterprise Office said the plan covers a broad range of areas attractive to tourists including festivals, castles, beaches, food offering, trails and more.

He said an amusement park is planned for the county, adding that he can’t reveal much more about the development as it has to go through a planning process first.

Following up on suggestions made by councillors at the March meeting for various additions to be made to the strategy, Mr Banville said that concerning promotional material being made available on ferries entering Rosslare Europort, most people access their information online.

He said: ‘Fáilte Ireland was consulted on the draft strategy which is very much in line with Ireland’s Ancient East. There are no plans to change the boundaries of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is part of a national tourism strategy.’

He said the focus in Co Wexford is on cluster activities, whether that involves coastal experiences, or castles and heritage attractions for example.

‘It all fits into their strategy. They have been very active in bringing trips to Ireland. They believe the growth targets set out in the strategy are achievable and can be reached.’

Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy welcomed the additions, adding that the Nine Stone Cycle trail should be added, while a camino trail from Bunclody to Co Down and on to Italy will be developed by the time the strategy is up for review in 2021.

Cllr Michael Whelan welcomed the inclusion of marine tourism in the strategy, while Cllr Paddy Kavanagh highlighted how popular the county’s golf courses are with tourists.

Cllr Lisa McDonald said she was disappointed to hear the Wild Atlantic Way will not be extended to Co Wexford. ‘I have spoken to all of the main tourist providers in the south east corner and they say it’s very difficult to get people to come to the south east,’ she said, calling for a large budget to specifically direct tourists to Co Wexford and the south east.

Cllr Malcolm Byrne said the strategy is a lot more comprehensive following the inclusion of the additions. ‘We have a number of other strategies that would dovetail with this. Our planning strategy is key to this.’

Cllr Michael Sheehan said the tourism strategies for each district need to be developed so they are ‘ready to go’ once funding comes on stream.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan said there is huge potential within the south east and Co Wexford for tourism to flourish, while Cllr Tony Walsh said the county has so much to offer.

‘ To me this is the most beautiful county in Ireland. There are restaurants here that are winning awardas, outshining other counties’ and cities’ restaurants.’

Cllr Robbie Ireton said he welcomed any tourism strategy that helps Wexford businesses, pointing out that his family is in business for 81 years in north Wexford.

‘Within the tourism industry I find it extraordinary that there are so many anomalies thrown in our way. We pay our taxes and our rates; everything that is expected of us and yet there are millstones around our necks.’

Criticising the council for not advertising the county’s attractions enough, he added that staff at the county’s tourist offices need to be trained during the quieter winter months about all that the county has to offer. Cllr David Hynes said: ‘ The sad thing is we have so much to offer. We are definitely underrated; Wexford town alone has one of the few town walls that are largely still intact, in Irland.’

‘What about New Ross?’ Cllr Larry O’Brien said.

‘We are not here trying to start a battle,’ Cllr Hynes said.

Cllr Mary Farrell said north Wexford needs to be included more, especially Morriscastle, which she described as the top beach in north Wexford.

The strategy was passed by councillors.

TOM BANVILLE SAID AN AMUSEMENT PARK IS PLANNED FOR THE COUNTY, BUT THAT HE COULD NOT REVEAL MUCH MORE AS IT HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS