Boyne Valley tourism initiative announced

Fáilte Ireland in the East & Midlands have joined up with the local authorities in Louth and Meath and the local tourism trade to launch a Heritage Guide for the Boyne Valley region. Consumer research carried out in the UK and Ireland in late 2008 formed the basis for the development of this programme focusing on the wealth of heritage and culture products in the area.
Commenting on the new initiative, Kevin Kidney General Manager of Fáilte Ireland in the East and Midlands region said –
 
“We identified the heritage product in the Boyne Valley area as a key priority for driving growth in tourism volume and revenue to the region in our regional strategy for 2008 - 2011.
 
The area is particularly rich in important heritage sites, while its proximity to Dublin means there is considerable potential to benefit from the volumes of visitors, both domestic and international, who travel through the capital. In particular, the retention of visitors in the area for longer than a day trip/short stay is a key objective.”
 
The new heritage guide and map are the first phase of this initiative which will be promoted by Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Discover Ireland’ campaign both domestically and with the help of Tourism Ireland in the UK. Fáilte Ireland, together with Louth and Meath County Council, has invested €166,000 to date and will invest a further €200,000 in the programme over the coming year.
 
The Boyne Valley heritage guide which will promote the key heritage sites of the area will also feature a new map of the region to promote the range other ‘things to do’ in the area. In addition to the heritage guide and map, members of the tourism trade also participated in a Boyne Valley training programme over the past few months and will champion this initiative within their business. These training seminars have equipped them with the knowledge and skills to implement the initiative within their business, an important element in ensuring the success of the initiative within the area.
 
Within a relatively small area, the complete story of Ireland’s history can be experienced, from the historic towns of Kells and Trim to the pre-historic settlements at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, the spread of Christianity in Monasterboice and Mellifont right up to modern times with the Battle of the Boyne Interpretative Centre.
 
ENDS
 
For further information please contact:
Louise Tolerton
PR Officer - 086 6086578/(01) 8847135
 
Note for editor
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
 
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 250,000 people and generates more than €6 billion in revenue a year.

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