Progress was made today on developing Killarney as a Gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way as Fáilte Ireland met with key stakeholders and businesses to discuss the next steps for the strategy that will establish Killarney as a gateway town for visitors exploring the Wild Atlantic Way.
The meeting took place at the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney and was attended by members of the Killarney tourism industry, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, the local authority, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Irish Hotel’s Federation and local industry representatives, who are all part of a Steering Group for the Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy.
Killarney was identified by Fáilte Ireland as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway as it offers visitors a broad range of accommodation, a wide variety of day time visitor attractions and activities, plenty of restaurants and evening entertainment and it is a main transport hub for the area.
Speaking about the importance of the Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D. said:
“Kerry has already benefitted enormously from the Wild Atlantic Way but we need to continue to harness it’s potential and focus on trying to grow and build on that success year on year with new projects and initiatives. With its proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way route and so much to offer visitors, Killarney is the perfect base.”
Miriam Kennedy, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of the Wild Atlantic Way, explained the importance of the Steering Group in the development of the strategy:
“Local consultation and input is essential for the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and we are working with a Steering Group of key stakeholders in Killarney to produce a strategy that works for both the visitor and the local economy. Today’s meeting was instrumental as we discussed tangible actions for local businesses to increase visitor numbers, spend and dwell time in Killarney”.
Bernadette Randles, a local hotelier and Chairperson of the Irish Hotels Federation Kerry branch, who is a member of the Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy Steering Group, added:
“The Wild Atlantic Way has been a phenomenal success and this strategy is a great opportunity for tourism businesses to capitalise on the popularity of the route by enticing visitors to come to Killarney and Kerry, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and experience everything the town has to offer.”
Killarney was chosen as one of two pilot towns/cities to test the Wild Atlantic Way Gateway concept alongside Limerick City over a three-year period. The Killarney Wild Atlantic Way Gateway Strategy will be finalised later this year, with recommendations and actions for local industry from 2020 – 2022.
Jump to top