Presented by Joy Harron Donegal County Council The Cool Route Project Presented by Joy Harron Donegal County Council 27th February 2017

This project is funded by the INTERREG VB Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA) of the EU under the programme priority ii on ‘Promoting Entrepreneurship to Realise the Potential of the Programme Area’s Competitive’.

Project Partners 8 Partners led by Cork Institute of Technology om

Associate Partners om

Project Outputs Production of a detailed logistical plan for the overall cruising ground, including a gap analysis in terms of current facilities Production of a detailed business plan Production of a detailed marketing plan Addressing all the practicalities, financial, marketing and commercialisation aspects of the route design and realisation of an integrated IT based information system for different facilities throughout the route

Develop an exclusive product package to attract high end customers Project Objectives Strengthen the market reach and customer base for SMEs in remote communities Develop an exclusive product package to attract high end customers Develop a joint marketing strategy and ICT solution and cooperation on the logistics of overcoming barriers due to distance Design a marketing model focussing on “place based” development opportunities which also provides opportunities for promoting additional spin off activities – such as whale watching, walking tours, traditional music evenings, cultural events, photographic tours etc.

World Class Cruising Grounds Weltklasse-Cruising-Gelände om From Cork to Tromsø via Western and Northern of Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Western Norway. Ranked as the No.1 Adventurous Cruising Route in the World

Key Selling Points of The Route om

Cool Route Cruising Preferences Study om The most comprehensive engagement of its type ever undertaken with a sailing community in Europe. 500+ respondents from Ireland UK, Norway and France. The findings of the study: Qualitative comments, potential, attractiveness to sailors, optimum daily voyage distance & a ranking in terms of stopover facilities. Listing of preferences for products and services- things to do and to see.

Cool Route Information System Developed by Derry City and Strabane District Council A map based GIS System, It will be freely available for any local business or community group to promote its products and services- food, drink, tours, taxis, museums, repairs, coffee, walks, music or anything else of suitable interest. Sail the Cool Route - www.sailcoolroute.eu There will be a strong emphasis on new services being introduced – which may include a local butcher offering to vacuum pack some steaks, a shop offering a quayside grocery delivery or a local fuel merchant offering a diesel delivery, dry-cleaning, waste collection, valeting etc. etc. . Business coverage on the system will include a photograph- a short description and web-link, for information and bookings.

Project Cool Route Cruising Oceans on Latitudes above 510 North Donegal County Council Work Package 2 – Our Role as Project Partner Communications and Dissemination

Work Package 2 External Project Communications & Product Dissemination Raise Awareness of the Project and NPA INTERREG VB Programme Inform stakeholders of the benefits of developing the Cool Route Influence public opinion and policies relating to coastal locations in the NPA zone as tourism destinations for sailing Raise awareness and engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

Website Development and Maintenance www.sailcoolroute.eu

Promotional Materials Design – Print - Distribution

Cool Route on Facebook www.facebook.com/eucoolroute Over 1053 likes Facebook Advertising

We share video content from along the Cool Route

We share partner news from along the Cool Route

We showcase many of the new facilities along the Cool Route

Daily engagement including Cool Route on Twitter Daily engagement including reweets and likes 854 followers to date #eucoolroute www.twitter.com/eucoolroute

Blog/New News and Information Section Shared on Social Media 98 blog posts published Blog Content welcome! Partner News welcome! Content about Cool Route shared on other websites

E-mail Communications/Newsletter E-mail and Print Newsletters

New - YouTube Channel Cool Route YouTube Channel New video in development

Design Engagement Plan as a template for public information and consultation with SME’s/Stakeholders

Donegal County Council PR Radio Interviews about Project EU Bulletin Municipal District Reports Council Website Communications Office MalinWaters collaboration

What is next? Future Plans Project Video Production Further distribution of promotional materials Facebook paid Advertising Design of suite of online banners – use in display advertising e.g. MPU, Leaderboards Continued promotion of the Route – all channels Project concludes September 2018

THANK YOU For more information please contact: Ms. Joy Harron or Ms. Mary Daly Donegal County Council E: mdaly@donegalcoco.ie or joyharron@donegalcoco.ie T: +353 (0)74 9724484 M: +353 (0)876782196 or (0)870619360 Website: www.sailcoolroute.eu Facebook: www.facebook.com/coolroute Twitter: @eucoolroute