New plan to drive tourism trade

At the launch were, from left, Laura Tangney, Killarney Jaunting Cars, Danielle Murrihy, Great Southern, Pat Dawson, Killarney House and Gardens, Josephine O’Driscoll, Wild Atlantic Way

Fáilte Ireland today launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney.

The Killarney Destination and Experience Development Plan aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.

The key stakeholders in the area and the local community who were consulted and contributed to the plan including Kerry County Council, Irish Hotels Federation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Kerry Convention Bureau and local tourism marketing groups as well as many local tourism operators and networks.

At the launch were, from left, Patrick O’Donoghue, Gleneagle Hotel Group, Bernadette Randles, Dromhall Hotel, Gareth Power, Muckross Park Hotel, Moira Murrell, Kerry County Council, Paul Kelly, Fáilte Ireland, Tom Randles, Randles Court Hotel, Sinead McCarthy, Brehon Hotel, Emer Corridan, Cahernane Hotel and Tracy Coyne, International Hotel

The focus of the plan builds on a number of destination development projects that will bring local experiences to life including Muckross House, Torc Waterfall and Killarney House along with cycling trails that will encourage visitors to discover the Muckross and Dinis Loop.

Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, who launched the plan in Killarney House and Gardens this afternoon, said it captures the unique themes central to Killarney.

“It is about looking to the future of tourism in the region and will be hugely important as we work towards a sustained and sustainable recovery,” he said.

At the launch were Niamh O’Sullivan, Kerry County Council, Sheila O’Sullivan and Trish Covarr, Killarney park and Ross Hotels, Angela McAllen, Manager, Killarney Municipal District, Superintendent Flor Murphy, Diarmuid Leen, Chairman, 4th July Festival, Josephine O’Driscoll, Lead Manager Wild Atlantic Way and Niamh O’Shea, Fáilte Ireland

“It provides a framework for tourism businesses and stakeholders to work in partnership over the next five years to create new and improved existing visitor experiences,” Mr Kelly added.

“Local consultation and input was central, and this collaborative approach provided local stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute and shape the plan,” he stressed.

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council said the plan is a great example of how collaboration is the key to building a sustainable tourism industry in Killarney and it will drive the economic growth for all Kerry.

“Outlined in the plan is a major project for Killarney which will examine the potential to capitalise on Killarney’s outdoor assets and re-imagine its stories through its urban spaces.

“Developments like this, through public realm and urban animation, have the potential to transform and re-imagine Killarney’s urban centre for both visitors and communities,” Ms Murrell said.

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