Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Meath and Louth are included in the Ireland's Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023–2027 launched by Fáilte Ireland in May 2023. This roadmap for the tourism industry and all stakeholders involved in tourism in the region will help to navigate through the current challenges and steer a course towards a sustainable recovery and continued success. The plan sets out a strategic approach to unlocking the commercial potential of Ireland's Ancient East. It provides a framework for tourism development that is sustainable and regenerative and within which the benefits accrue to local communities and to nature.

The implementation of the destination experience development plan, Ancient, continues to strengthen the tourism proposition in counties Louth and Meath. Aligned closely with the objectives of the regional brand strategy of Ireland's Ancient East, it continues to help in unlocking the economic growth potential of the destination.

Since the launch of the plan in May 2021, 26 of its 84 projects have been completed and a further 41 are in progress across its four strategic pillars. Key achievements in 2023 included the completion of a plan to re-imagine the Boyne Valley Drive, the development of an outdoor destination orientation development plan for Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula, and the continued growth of the world-class Púca Festival, all of which have contributed greatly to the status of Louth and Meath as an emerging tourism destination.

Since the launch of the plan, Fáilte Ireland has also provided industry supports to some 250 participants across numerous Fáilte Ireland training programmes and facilitated the creation of 60 leisure and food saleable experiences, with more to come across all sectors.

Currently, Fáilte Ireland is conducting a mid-term review of the destination experience development plan, Ancient, to ensure it is updated to reflect present-day challenges – for example, climate action targets, changing consumer trends and the digitisation of the industry.

Also being considered are the many opportunities that lie ahead, such as the recently established Boyne Valley national park, the Boyne Valley greenway and the recent shared island investments at Narrow Water Bridge on Carlingford Lough and Oldbridge House on the River Boyne.

Fáilte Ireland continues to roll out the destination plan, working together with the industry, key strategic partners Meath and Louth county councils, and the Office of Public Works under the guidance of the destination plan steering group.

See this speech in context