Local Champions to Promote Boyne Valley
08/11/2010
Pictured are (l. to r.): Joan Martin, Deputy Manager, County Louth; Paul Keeley, Enterprise Support, Fáilte Ireland; Noel Dempsey, T.D. Minister for Transport, and Tom Dowling, Meath County Manager
Local Champions to Promote Boyne Valley
Visitors Encouraged to Discover Ireland’s True Heritage
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, today joined forces with tourism operators in the Louth and Meath areas to officially launch The Boyne Valley Destination Programme – an initiative designed to fully optimise the area’s tourism potential and develop the Boyne Valley as a tourism destination.
Launched by Noel Dempsey, T.D. Minister for Transport, the programme’s official kick off also provided the opportunity to honour over 80 local businesses who have become “Boyne Valley Champions” - pledging a commitment to deliver a quality experience for visitors to the Boyne Valley area. Whether directly involved in tourism or not, local businesses were encouraged to sign up to the champion charter and work together to improve the holiday experience offered to visitors to the region.
Announcing the initiative, Minister Dempsey said –
“I am delighted to officially launch this new promotional programme for the Boyne Valley which I have no doubt will help further position the area as a high quality heritage destination. The tourism potential around the Boyne Valley is evident for all to see but without the work of the local community, as well as local agencies, the important promotion of the area and development work would have not been possible
“I am particularly pleased the see how local businesses have embraced the initiative with over 80 businesses receiving their Champion Charter certificates today. It is the experience and the welcome that they offer to visitors which will ensure that tourists not only enjoy their stay in the area but that perhaps may be persuaded to return.”
The Boyne Valley Destination Programme is a harnessing of all the tourism potential in the locality and many significant developments are underway to fully promote the area. For example, the proposed new Boyne Valley Drive will link all the major towns including Trim, Kells, Navan, Slane and Drogheda as well as the heritage and cultural attractions of the area - the Hill of Tara, Monasterboice, Mellifont Abbey, Beaulieu House and Newgrange. New signage for Trim, Kells, Slane and Drogheda has also been provided to promote these towns as heritage towns. Future developments may include a Boyne Valley Cycle Route which will start in Drogheda and will follow the towpath and canal to Newgrange, Slane, Navan and Trim.
Consumer research carried out in late 2008 formed the basis for the development of the Boyne Valley programme, focusing on the wealth of heritage and culture products in the area.
Within a relatively small area, the complete story of Ireland’s history can be experienced throughout the Boyne Valley, 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.
Speaking at the launch, Paul Keeley, Director of Enterprise Development with Fáilte Ireland emphasised –
“Sometimes overlooked for its tourism potential area - the Boyne Valley is a natural draw for visiting tourists due to its close proximity to Dublin and the wealth of history and important heritage sites including the Bru Na Boinne Visitor Centre as well as the Battle of Boyne Site and Newgrange.
Over the last few years, Fáilte Ireland has been working closely with local tourism businesses to ensure we are putting our best foot forward when it comes to promoting the area and all it has to offer.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Louise Tolerton
Press Officer - 086 6086578/01 8847135
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