Wild Atlantic Way major tourism boost for the West

Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator Michael Comiskey today (Tuesday) welcomed publication of the final route for the Wild Atlantic Way project, which was unveiled by Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring.   The Wild Atlantic Way will be a long-distance driving route, stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, taking in the beautiful coastlines of Leitrim and Sligo.   The final route was decide upon following public consultations and will stretch 2,500km and include 156 coastal discovery points for tourists.

“The aim of this project is to establish a route of International standing, targeted at both the overseas and domestic tourist markets.   The route will create one clearly identifiable and marketable product which will showcase the unique qualities of our Atlantic coastline.    

“Both Sligo and Leitrim already offer quality tourism packages, which will benefit greatly from this renewed focus on the Western Coastline as part of this initiative.  

“The route will include local as well as national and primary routes resulting in more communities benefiting and the creation a unique experience for visitors from overseas.

“The Islands, world heritage sites, blue flag beaches, national parks and lighthouses have been drawing visitors to the West for many years.   In marketing these attractions, as part of one major initiative, the aim will be to extend dwell time and encourage more repeat visits to complete the route.  

“The success of the project will require collaboration from local authorities, state agencies, local development organisations, the tourism sector and local communities.  

“A programme will now be drawn up of improvement works to be carried out on the discovery points which have already been identified.   New discovery points with a potential to be delivered with minimal intervention before 2014 may yet be included in the route.

“The route was presented to and received positive reaction from 300 top overseas tour operators today many of whom are likely to be negotiating business for 2014 onwards.”