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Pictured on Monday at the launch of the new, user friendly Kerry Tourism Brochure by the Tourism Unit of Kerry County Council are from left Joan McCarthy, Head of Tourism, Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council, John Edwards, Wild Water Adventures, Fiona Monaghan, Head of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland and Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council. Photo: Pauline Dennigan
A NEW, comprehensive and user-friendly brochure highlighting the wide and diverse range of activities and attractions on offer to locals and visitors in the county has been published by the Tourism Unit of Kerry County Council.
The 170-page brochure was launched at County Buildings today by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley.
The new guide is helpfully segmented into easily accessible categories including golf, angling, surfing, walking and hiking, cycling, art, crafts, adventure, family fun activities, food experiences, gardens and parks, water sports, equestrian, and more and includes a listing of contact details for over 300 tourism and activity businesses.
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The Tourism Unit of Kerry County Council, working closely with adventure and activity providers as well as local communities, development groups and committees, designed and produced the guide ‘in house’ with the support of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2017.
The publication of the brochure is an objective of the County Kerry Tourism Strategy and Action Plan which was published in 2016.
“County Kerry is more dependent on tourism than any other county in Ireland and future economic development and job creation in the county is more likely to be linked to tourism and hospitality than any other economic activity,” said the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley.
“One in five jobs and businesses in Kerry depend on tourism and the county earns over €420 million annually from its visitors.
“County Kerry is gaining a reputation as one of the best places in Europe for those in search of an adventure or activity holiday. The county’s natural attributes and man-made attractions are hugely appealing for Ireland’s visitor target markets. Kerry’s countryside and coastal areas, mountains and lakes, woodlands and national parks provide outstanding environments for a range of activities and adventure pursuits,” said Cllr Foley.
The County Kerry Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2022 sets out the priorities and investment plans for the county and forms an integral part of Kerry County Council’s Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2022.
It identified Adventure Tourism as one of the fastest growing segments of international tourism. Various groups who participated in the formulation of the Tourism Strategy including adventure and activity providers, sought to maximise, in a sustainable manner, the potential of adventure tourism, particularly during the off-peak season.
The topography of the county is ideally suited to both soft adventure (e.g. walking, cycling, sailing and angling) and hard adventure (e.g. mountain climbing, trekking, surfing).
The brochure will be widely distributed and promoted both nationally and internationally. An on-line version will also be available (see www.kerrycoco.ie) which can be updated regularly to include further business listings.
