According to Failte Ireland, 289,000 tourists visited Donegal in 2015 and spent a whopping €83million.
These figures are expected to rise due to Donegal’s new title as the coolest place on the planet.
Speaking to The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller’s UK editor, Pat Riddell says; “It’s a warm-hearted place, but wilderness always feels just a stone’s throw away. And it is wilderness, world-class wilderness. We think it’s due a big year.”
The filming of scenes from the latest Star Wars movie, and our natural scenery and possible adventures to be had here all combined to make Donegal so ‘cool’ in the eyes of the influential travel magazine from National Geographic.
The publication describes Donegal’s “dreamlike landscape” and roads that “wind like ribbons” to locations such as Silver Strand.
On top of being named the coolest place on the planet, Donegal has received funding from Failte Ireland for four major festivals; The Donegal Rally, the Earagail Arts Festival, the Rory Gallagher Festival in Ballyshannon and the Sea Sessions in Bundoran.
Donegal Rally will be awarded €15,000, Sea Sessions €20,000, Earagail Arts Festival €45,000 and Rory Gallagher Festival €40,000.
Although a boost in tourism is expected, concerns have also been highlighted.
Speaking to The Guardian, Paddy Byrne, who runs a business taking tourists to Slieve League says; “The ‘Coolest Place on the Planet’ thing will undoubtedly help bring more tourists. I had a call yesterday from a foreign tourist to see I could take them out to the cliffs, but I don’t get going until March.”
“This place may be beautiful but you can’t eat beauty. A lot of people, especially our young people, have to leave the county to get jobs, an education and opportunities.”
Brexit was also highlighted as a possible major economic drain on Donegal, with a concern over non-EU fishing boats from the UK not needing to conform to EU quotas.
Despite worries over Brexit and emigration; an expected increase on 2015’s €83 million is fantastic for our beautiful county!
