Businesses prepare to welcome people along the Wild Atlantic Way
THE now world famous Wild Atlantic Way was launched in 2014 and provides a huge range of ideas for longer holidays and short stays.
It is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world. The Wild Atlantic Way offers an exciting range of possibilities along the 2,500 stretch of spectacular coastline, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north of Donegal down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south. It has been hailed by National Geographic as “one of the most scenic drives in the world” and has also been described as the “ultimate road trip” by the Lonely Planet travel guide.
Last week almost 300 tourism businesses on the Wild Atlantic Way, including many from Sligo, attended Fáilte Ireland’s virtual ‘Networking Together’ event to prepare for the reopening of tourism business along the route to cater for the thousands expected to holiday along the route this summer. Meetings focused on developing attractive packages that would entice domestic tourists to visit areas.
The virtual networking event brought visitor attractions, activity providers, food and drink operators together with nearby accommodation providers in Sligo, for pre-scheduled appointments.
The businesses shared details of unique local experiences and explored partnership opportunities that would encourage visitors to stay longer and, in turn, boost revenue in their region when domestic travel resumes.
The meetings focused on how tourism businesses can work together to collectively sell their area as a safe and exciting destination to prospective visitors and drive domestic tourism in their area over the coming months.
The event was organised by the national tourism development authority to facilitate greater collaboration between tourism businesses on the Wild Atlantic Way in advance of the sector reopening in June.
Miriam Kennedy, pictured left, head of Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way team, said: “We’re really pleased that so many tourism businesses from Sligo joined us for what was a busy and productive day.
“As we look to reopening, it is more important than ever that we collaborate, co-ordinate and support each other.
“Visitors to the region need a clear picture of all there is to see and do. Our Networking Together event equips accommodation providers with the knowledge they need to deliver an unforgettable experience to their guests and provide good reasons for them to stay longer and return soon.” Ms Kennedy said that the past year had been “incredibly challenging and isolating for tourism businesses”.
“Through our Tourism Destination Taskforce, the idea of providing a platform for businesses to meet and collaborate with one another for the benefit of the wider community emerged. The more we all connect, talk and showcase each other, the stronger the recovery will be as we head into the summer season and beyond,” she added.