A SURVEY of users of the Shannon Erne Waterway, commissioned by the Northern and Southern tourist boards, reveals a very high satisfaction level with the waterway. It has already created over 50 secondary projects.
Almost 4,000 boats used the Shannon Erne Waterway last year, a 30 per cent rise on the 1994 figures. There is considerable demand for moorings, with 50 new moorings being built on the Erne system.
According to the survey, most of the canal users are from the Republic (35 per cent) and Germany (24 per cent). The average length of a cruise is six days, with an average of three people per boat. With the average expenditure per day per boat at £51, about £1.2 million was spent by visitors on food and entertainment last year. The cruiser hire fees bring total expenditure to £3.6 million.
There was a very low level of complaints by respondents. Some 85 per cent said they would be returning for a holiday.
Mr Willie McCarter, chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, which contributed £5.8 million to the £30 million capital cost of the canal, welcomed the findings.
"In the two years since it began operating, the Shannon Erne waterway has surpassed even the most optimistic original projections for usage. The waterway was a flagship enterprise for the International Fund and one which has gone a long way towards realising our vision for the economic development of disadvantaged Border counties."
He said he was especially heartened to see the number of ancillary developments along the canal as nearby towns and villages rediscovered their relationship with the waterway.
He said the project had a widespread impact on the area. Examples of the spin off included a new marina for commercial cruisers in Belturbet, Co Cavan, new restaurants in Co Leitrim villages, a hostel and coffee shop in Ballinamore and a new air charter service direct from Switzerland to Knock Airport in Co Mayo.
Other new products and developments planned for this year include a 50 seater day cruise boat based in Ballinamore and a similar boat planned for Carrick on Shannon.
Other developments include the refurbishment of many shops, resulting in supermarkets and stores carrying a wider variety of goods, which now include German and French newspapers.