Presenter: Fearghal Reidy Title: Role of Local Government in Tourism

Top Tourist Attractions 2016 Top 5 Free Tourist Attractions Top 5 Paying Attractions Failte Ireland research shows that in terms of free attractions, Dublin attractions dominated in 2016. However, Cork’s Doneraile Wildlife Park came in fourth place with 480,000 visitors in 2016. Fáilte Ireland (2017), Tourism Facts 2016 - Preliminary, p. 11. Available at: http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/3_General_SurveysReports/Tourism-Facts-2016-Preliminary-docx_1.pdf?ext=.pdf (Accessed 3rd August 2017).

Overseas Tourists (000) 2015 So where are these record-breaking number of overseas tourists visiting? If we look at the 2015 county-by-country breakdown, Dublin is dominating as a destination with 4.9 million overseas tourists visiting the city and county in 2015. Failte Ireland (2016) Regional Tourism Performance in 2015. Available at: http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/files/c4/c42b5249-242d-4860-b3b5-8720df101d4c.pdf (Accessed 25th August 2017).

Overseas Tourists (000) 2015 However, if we combine the nine Wild Atlantic Way counties (Cork, Galway, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Mayo, Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim), they closely match Dublin in terms of overseas tourist numbers in 2015 and reach a combined collective total of 4.8 million. The seventeen combined Ireland’s Ancient East counties (coloured orange), reached a collective total of 3.1 million. (NOTE: As Counties Cork and Limerick overlap and are part of both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East brands, their visitors numbers were split 50:50 between the two brands). Fáilte Ireland (2016), Regional Tourism Performance in 2015, p. 2. Available at: http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/files/c4/c42b5249-242d-4860-b3b5-8720df101d4c.pdf (Accessed 3rd August 2017).

Domestic Trips (000) 2016 In contrast to overseas tourist trips, domestic trips were spread more evenly across the country with Dublin dominating to a lesser extent. In 2016, Irish residents made 1.4 million trips to Dublin, with Cork following closely behind with 1.16 million trips. (Leitrim is overstated here as it is combined by the CSO with Cavan). CSO (2017), Household Travel Survey, CSO Databank HTA11. Available at: http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=HTA11&PLanguage=0 (Accessed 3rd August 2017).

Domestic Trips (000) 2016 Looking at the nine Wild Atlantic Way and the seventeen Ireland’s Ancient East counties, when their domestic trips in 2016 were combined, they massively overtook Dublin, reaching a combined total of 4.1 million and 3.6 million respectively, compared to Dublin’s 1.4 million domestic trips. (NOTE: As Cork and Limerick are both in the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East – their number of domestic trips were split 50:50 between the two brands. As the CSO reports the combined data for Kildare and Carlow, Cavan and Leitrim, Louth and Monaghan, Laois and Offaly and Roscommon and Longford – their total figures were each split 50:50 between the merged counties). CSO (2017), Household Travel Survey, CSO Databank HTA11. Available at: http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=HTA11&PLanguage=0 (Accessed 3rd August 2017).

The Role of Local Government

Investing in Attractions 3 Year Plans Existing Attractions 259 Attractions 143 Run Directly by Local Authorities €28million Operational Contribution WAW Attraction Supported by Local Authorities Interpretation Centre/Museum Heritage Sites Park / Reserve Arts Venues Leisure Amenity Lighthouse Island Attraction Waterfall This busy slide illustrates the level of investment in tourist attractions that was leveraged by local authorities. Between 2011 and 2016 local authorities leveraged €170.9million investment in tourist attractions. Of this, 42.9% or €73.3million was funded directly by local authorities, with the remaining €97.6million from a range of sources including, Government Departments, State Agencies, Borrowing and EU Grants. In addition, local authorities provide revenue or operational funding to the tune of €28million in 2016. This investment and revenue funding supports 259 attractions. Plans are advancing for an additional 121 new attractions, which would require an investment of €180.8million.

Investing in Attractions This busy slide illustrates the level of investment in tourist attractions that was leveraged by local authorities. Between 2011 and 2016 local authorities leveraged €170.9million investment in tourist attractions. Of this, 42.9% or €73.3million was funded directly by local authorities, with the remaining €97.6million from a range of sources including, Government Departments, State Agencies, Borrowing and EU Grants. In addition, local authorities provide revenue or operational funding to the tune of €28million in 2016. This investment and revenue funding supports 259 attractions. Plans are advancing for an additional 121 new attractions, which would require an investment of €180.8million.

Investing in Infrastructure Annaully WAW Infrastructure Type Trail/Walkway Signage Transport Viewing Point Greenway Blueway Parking Village Improvements Playgrounds Infrastructure is the bread and butter of local authorities. In 2016 we leveraged investment of €21.6million in parking, signage, scenic spots and interpretation. Of this local authorities provided €14.5million or 67.3% of the funding, while other sources include Fáilte Ireland, Government Departments, EU Funding and local sponsorship. In addition, the sector is finding ways to improve interpretation of the tourist offering, living up to evolving expectations of tourists. In 2016 local authorities spent €2million in innovations in the tourism space.

Blue Flag Beaches 81 Blue Flag Beaches 61 in the Wild Atlantic Way In 2016 Local Authorities Spent c.€3.8million on Beach Maintenance In terms of domestic trips within the Wild Atlantic Way counties, Cork, Galway and Kerry dominated, however Mayo also performed strongly with 506,000 domestic trips. Mayo was the only county north of Galway that performed stronger than Clare which had 419,000 domestic trips. (NOTE: As CSO merge Cavan and Leitrim – their figure was split 50:50 to estimate Leitrim’s number of domestic trips). CSO (2017), Household Travel Survey, CSO Databank HTA11. Available at: http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?maintable=HTA11&PLanguage=0 (Accessed 3rd August 2017).

Infrastructure – the Experience

Infrastructure - Access

9 Local Authorities 1 Proposition Balanced Regional Development