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

2. 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’.

3. Project Partners 8 Partners led by Cork Institute of Technology om

4. Associate Partners om

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Key Selling Points of The Route om

9. 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.

11. 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 -
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.

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

13. 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.

14. Website Development and Maintenance

15. Promotional Materials
Design – Print - Distribution

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

17. We share video content from along the Cool Route

18. We share partner news from along the Cool Route

19. We showcase many of the new facilities along the Cool Route

20. Daily engagement including
Cool Route on Twitter
Daily engagement including
reweets and likes
854 followers to date
#eucoolroute

21. 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

22. E-mail Communications/Newsletter
and Print Newsletters

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

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

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

30. 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

31. THANK YOU For more information please contact:
Ms. Joy Harron or Ms. Mary Daly Donegal County Council E: or T: +353 (0) M: +353 (0) or (0) Website: Facebook: