An initiative to address the difficulties faced by rural tourism interests has been approved by the South East Regional Tourism Authority.
While last year saw an overall increase in tourism earnings in the region, rural guesthouse and B&B owners struggled to maintain business in the face of increased competition from towns and cities.
A plan to tackle the problem has been drawn up and is to form the basis of a consultation process in the coming months. Mr Joe Palmer, the south-east's regional tourism manager, says the idea is to create a network of small towns and villages around the five river valleys in the region. The concept, he says, is still in its embryonic stage but could involve branding the participating areas in the same way that "heritage towns" are marketed. Picturesque towns and villages such as Graignamanagh, Inistioge, St Mullins could benefit from such an initiative. "We want to encourage people who are driving in the region to stop at such places and, of course, spend some money." Local interests such as tidy towns committees would be consulted and it was hoped funding and other elements would be in place by the end of the year.
In the meantime, the regional authority plans to address the difficulties faced by rural tourism operators with a new "Coast and Country" slogan, drawing attention to facilities inland. In the authority's January newsletter, Mr Palmer says the relative lack of tourism business in rural areas requires "urgent remedial action".
Overall, however, bookings and bednights recorded in the south east tourism information office network were up by 9 per cent and 10 per cent respectively by late autumn, generating more than £1 million worth of business for approved accommodation suppliers. The south east recorded an increased share, from 12 to 13 per cent, of computerised bookings through the tourist office network. "It has been a particularly busy season for the hotel sector, with clear evidence of increased consumer demand for short break holidays," Mr Palmer said.
"According to Bord Failte's most recent hotel survey, the south east is showing the highest room and bed occupancy figures of any region outside Dublin."