A new initiative to promote tourism in the midlands is being prepared by the Government, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring said on Thursday.
"Meetings have taken place between the Department, local authorities in the midlands and Waterways Ireland about a Blueway concept," he said.
The intention would be to attract tourists to the midlands in much the same way as the Wild Atlantic Way was doing for the west coast, Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air was doing for the capital, and Ireland's Ancient East was doing for the the southeast counties.
A similar concept, the Barrow Blueway project, a 112km walking, cycling and waterways track connecting Lowtown in Kildare to St Mullins in Carlow, is already in preparation.
Increase numbers
The Minister said it was hoped to increase visitor numbers to Ireland in 2016 by 4 per cent over last year's record 8.6 million.
He was speaking at the launch of the Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018 at the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Tourism Centre by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe. Labour Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin also attended.
Mr Donohoe said the action plan had been approved by Cabinet this week. It involves 23 actions aimed at sustaining continued growth in tourism in Ireland, including upskilling people working in the sector, addressing shortages in accommodation, particularly in Dublin, an increase in funds for marketing abroad, and the possibility of a follow-on to 2013’s The Gathering initiative.
Mr Donohoe expressed his deep appreciation for "the tremendous effort, driven by enthusiasm" of the Tourism Leadership Group who prepared the Action Plan 2016-2018 and emphasised the importance of tourism to the economy.
‘Best year ever’
The Government’s removal of airport tax and reduction of VAT on tourism services had contributed to making 2015 “the best year ever in Irish tourism”, he said.
Ireland’s 8.6 million visitors last year generated some €3.5 billion in the economy and approximately 205,000 jobs. These figures were the highest since 2007.
In March last year, Government plans were announced to increase employment in tourism to 250,000, to bring visitor numbers to Ireland to 10 million, and to increase revenue from tourism in Ireland to €5 billion by 2025.
Mr Donohoe has launched a one-stop website, InviteIreland.com, to market Ireland at home and in Europe.
It will provide details on accommodation, leisure activities, restaurants, pubs, race courses, camp and caravan parks, and other facilities.
