Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There have been some developments in recent times, particularly in the area of greenways, which are very welcome. We are awaiting funding for two greenways, one of which is the Sligo to Enniskillen greenway. I know the Minister visited the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne earlier this year and walked some of the greenway, or may have danced with somebody there, although we will not go into that. That greenway requires additional funding and would be of significant benefit because it is a cross-Border project. The proposal for a greenway which runs along the old railway line adjacent to what was the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal similarly requires funding.

One of the general issues which we continually encounter is that in addition to development in terms of infrastructure and product, the tourism product in the north west requires far more sustained and targeted promotion because there has been a fall off in visitor numbers. A representative of the Leitrim Tourism Network told me today that he or she had spoken to people in Donegal and Strabane, where he or she visited a hotel. All of the people with whom the representative consulted stated that there has been a fall-off in bookings this year and there are fewer people visiting the region. The same situation pertains throughout the Border area and in the north west in particular. The only way to arrest that decline is to have a targeted programme of investment in promotions and getting tourism providers and other people in the area out to meet the visitors who will stay and contribute to the product in the area. Those involved in tourism in the area told me that continental tourists are a key area for them. Although they welcome the initiative referred to by the Minister to increase the number of British holidaymakers by more than 25%, many told me that, particularly in the context of Brexit, that will be a very difficult hill to climb and that greater emphasis needs to be placed on continental tourists, particularly those from France and Germany, who traditionally visited the region. There is great potential to bring them back again. They know the area and have been there before. If we can, we should try to work more on promotion, particularly of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Hidden Heartlands, as well as more generally in the north west where we have a tremendous product and need to get more tourists from continental Europe to visit.

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