The east Donegal region – from Fintown to Burt – will be promoted as a tourist destination for the first time and showcased to an audience of tens of thousands at the prestigious Holiday World Shows in January.
Donegal East Tourism was established earlier this year as a working group and will be formally launched in the New Year, in advance of the shows in Dublin and Belfast. Last year’s events attracted more than 65,000 visitors.
Donegal East chairman, Cronan Scanlon, appealed to tourism providers, businesses and community groups to assist the group in its efforts to build the area as a strong tourist destination.
“It is our aim to promote an area from Fintown – down the Finn and Lagan valleys, as far as Burt – as a tourist destination for visitors, as well as locals,” he said.
Since their first meeting on March 15th, considerable progress has been made.
A formal committee has been set up, a Credit Union account opened, new logos designed, an information map/booklet is being compiled and a website is currently under construction.
Space has been booked on the County Donegal Tourism stand at the upcoming Holiday World fairs and a number of other projects are also in the pipeline.
“We would argue that, in terms of tourism promotion, this part of the county has been ignored for far too long,” added Mr Scanlon.
“This is despite it being home to one of Europe’s best salmon fishing rivers, the Glenfin Gaeltacht, Bluestack Mountains, McElhinney’s Stores, Oakfield Park, Dunmore Gardens, Beltany Stone Circle, Lifford Old Courthouse and An Grianan of Aileach. The region also has a strong tradition of Irish music, an Ulster Scots heritage and much, much more. Donegal East is also the perfect base from which to explore the Wild Atlantic Way.
“We have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes, and a number of foundations put in place over the last six months, we are now working hard to sell the area as an attractive destination ahead of the 2018 tourist season.”
A previous attempt was made to set up a tourism group in the area in 2008. At the time, more than forty members of the public and representatives from the business community attended a meeting in Jackson’s Hotel.
The tourism workshop was organised by Ballybofey and Stranorlar Integrated Community Company (BASICC) in conjunction with Donegal County Council. It was agreed that all sections of the business and hospitality trades should pull together in order to create much needed tourism related employment in the area.
For further information on the latest initiative, log on to the Donegal East Tourism Facebook page or email eastdonegaltourism@gmail.com
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