The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘Let people around the world know that we’re still open’
SKELLIG MICHAEL BOAT OPERATOR SAYS IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE FAMOUS ISLAND IN PEOPLE’S MINDS
WITH Skellig Michael closed for the rest of the season because of COVID-19, social media is being touted by one local boat operator as a possible lure in attracting tourists in 2021.
Paul Devane of Skellig Michael Cruises in Portmagee says it’s important to get boat tours up and running again so that videos of the experience can be shared online to help keep the world-famous attraction in the minds of people around the globe.
“It’s important to get the word out there that the island is still accessible to people. Social media can play a part in this,” Paul said.
Usually up to 15 cruising and landing boats, full to capacity, would take to the water at this time of year to visit Skellig Michael. However, for the foreseeable future at least, all boats must operate at reduced capacity to comply with social distancing. In May, the Office of Public Works (OPW) closed the island to visitors for the season after a ‘thorough risk analysis’ was carried out. It recently stated its decision is unlikely to be reversed.
The absence of international visitors comes as another blow to south Kerry, but Paul believes it’s vital to continue marketing Skellig Michael for visitors who may be contemplating a visit in 2021. It’s the classic ‘throw a sprat to gain a salmon’ scenario.
“By running boat tours this summer to the island – no matter how reduced they are – it lets people see on social media that trips to Skellig are taking place. It might even make them want to book a trip for next year. You can’t just let people forget Skellig Michael, it’s a site of global importance, and you must keep it out there,” he added.
Interest in bookings for cruises to Skellig Michael has been ‘steady’ in recent weeks according to Paul. This is a double-edged sword in some cases as boat men must juggle between working within the parameters of social distancing while also gauging how many bookings they can facilitate in a day.
“I think it will be okay as I can’t see the volume of people being that high this year. We’ll have a reduced number of boats out, but we must keep it going somehow. If you got two runs in the morning, two in the afternoon and two in the evening, I’d be happy with that. It should be easier to handle the social distancing with no international visitors this year,” Paul added.
Even though tour boats can be as long as 40 feet in length, the number of visitors must be reduced in accordance with the size of each boat. In some cases a crew member will be on board to ensure social-distancing rules are applied.
“We’ll get over it somehow. We’re hoping to push the ‘holiday local’ side of things this year with families and staycationers. We’ll have to live with this virus, and there is no better place to be than south Kerry. It has everything you’d want at a time like this. This virus might even encourage more Irish people to appreciate what we have,” he said.
Lastly, Paul explains there are encouraging signs lately with interest in bookings for local B&Bs and holiday homes. A tentative hope is emerging in south Kerry that some of summer may yet be salvaged.
“The importance of the boat tours to south
WE’LL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS VIRUS AND THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO BE THAN IN SOUTH KERRY.
Kerry is massive. In a normal summer I would employ around 10 people; this year it’s been cut back to four. Some of these jobs are ‘college jobs’ with students earning money for the winter.”
He concluded: “The tours are a real spin-off around the village with shops and pubs relying on them; they’re out of pocket as well. We all tie in together and it’s massive to the area. That’s why I think it’s important to try and get something moving this year.
“It’s important that the people who do take boat trips record it and share it on social media, it lets the world know we’re still open.”