Fáilte Ireland has today (Monday, 21st June 2021) launched a new strategy to develop Limerick as a compelling visitor destination and base for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way
Limerick has been designated as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City based on its geographical and cultural position in the West of Ireland and its close proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way. The draft1 ‘Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy’ builds on a number of development projects that will bring local experiences to life and leverages the opportunities the Wild Atlantic Way presents to sustainably increase the economic benefit of tourism to Limerick over the next five years.
The strategy has been two years in development between Fáilte Ireland and Limerick City and County Council in collaboration with industry partners across the county.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said: “The ‘Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy’ provides a framework for tourism businesses and stakeholders to work in partnership over the next five years to create new and improve existing visitor experiences while maximising the city’s role as a base to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. The strategy will be hugely important as we work towards recovery and will motivate both domestic and international tourists to visit Limerick. The implementation group, made up of representatives from the industry, was central to the development of the strategy and Fáilte Ireland will be working closely with the group over the coming months to progress the key development projects identified. I’m delighted to be in Limerick for the launch of the strategy and look forward to meeting tourism and hospitality businesses on the ground.”
Mayor of Limerick City and County, Michael Collins, said: “Limerick is a city of character, full of stories and heritage and has so much to offer visitors. Fáilte Ireland’s new Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy will help the city realise its potential to become an international urban tourism destination while maximising its proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way route. To mark Limerick’s designation as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City, Limerick City and County Council will be launching a new marketing campaign to promote Limerick’s emerging status as one of Ireland’s leading destinations for value, welcome and excitement.”
Patricia Roberts, No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa and Stephen O'Connor, The Limerick Strand Hotel, Co-Chairs of the Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy for Limerick Implementation Group, said: “The designation of Limerick as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City comes at an exciting time for Limerick tourism as businesses begin to open their doors again. The Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy for Limerick gives us the platform to leverage the opportunities the Wild Atlantic Way presents, while also encouraging our visitors to experience and explore all that Limerick has to offer.”
For more information on the Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy for Limerick, visit www.failteireland.ie.