Council plan seeks to extend tourism into all corners of Kerry
However, an ambitious new seven-year plan for tourism launched at the weekend by Kerry County Council aims to spread tourism into every corner of the county.
Killarney, a tourist haven for 250 years, remains a year-round destination. However, county tourism officer John Griffin believes most of the county could extend the season and their accommodation base, especially through adventure tourism.
Up to 9,000 work directly in accommodation and restaurants locally but Mr Griffin said: “If the national growth figures of 5% in tourists materialise we can expect tourism in Kerry to create an additional 1,800 jobs.”
Figures show 1.7 million overseas’ and domestic holidaymakers generate over €420m yearly in tourist- related income for Kerry. Along with spectacular attractions like the Lakes of Killarney, Skellig Michael and Slea Head Drive, the county also has the golden beaches of north Kerry and the longest section of the Wild Atlantic Way touring route, food and culture.
A reported 13% of all overseas’ visitors and one-in-three US visitors include Kerry on their itineraries.
A new report, launched in Listowel, sets out 272 specific actions, among them mountain, lake and seaside activities which have long been on the tourism agenda but, in some cases, are meeting resistance from small numbers of landowners and residents.
The walkways include the south Kerry Greenway along the old railway to Renard which, if developed, is now to be extended to Killorglin and from there to Farranfore to the centre of the county, according to the strategy; it also includes the Great Southern Trail to Listowel — the Limerick section has been completed but the Kerry section is to be finalised; and the Tralee to Fenit walkway is also progressing, Mr Griffin said.
And there is to be a magnificent “Lakeway” in Killarney — the Lough Lein Loop around the largest of the Killarney lakes, and partly in place, will include a spur from Fossa village for cyclists and walkers to the Gap of Dunloe.
Joan McCarthy of Kerry County Council’s Tourism Unit said: “The Tourism Strategy which forms an integral part of Kerry County Council’s Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2022, is a living document that will respond to new challenges, changing market trends and consumer behaviour and will be reviewed and updated annually.”
