Fáilte Ireland has been allocated €68m in Just Transition funding by the EU to invest in a regenerative tourism scheme to provide employment in eight counties that have been traditionally reliant on peat.
The national tourism development authority will implement a "regenerative tourism and placemaking scheme for Ireland's midlands" in Laois, Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Roscommon, Galway, Tipperary and Kildare.
The scheme will encompass trail development, visitor amenities, alternative low carbon accommodation, and smart specialisation, which involves digital transformation, with the aim of establishing the midlands as an "authentic regenerative tourism destination" based on sustainable use of the peatlands and wetlands resources.
"The EU Just Transition Funding is a significant step for regenerative tourism development in Ireland, as we work to reduce our emissions in line with the Programme for Government. The scale of investment is a testament to the work of Fáilte Ireland in making a compelling case to the EU," said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin.
"I am confident that Fáilte Ireland, working in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and my own Department, will deliver effectively on this ambitious scheme of work, which will transform tourism in the Midlands.”
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“This investment is very much in line with the Programme for Government commitment for the development of a Sustainable Tourism Policy document. This new tourism policy will seek to support sustainable economic development in communities throughout the country, whilst protecting our environment and natural resources, and with a greater spread of demand across the year.
“The funding confirmed today will enable the development of a network of trails linked to existing and emerging greenways; provide support to tourism businesses developing tourism infrastructure and experiences; repurpose buildings for small scale tourism developments and support the use of smart technology and digitalisation to the benefit of visitors, businesses and the economy of the Midlands.”
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said: "This investment reinforces the value of tourism to the economic well-being and development of a destination. I want to pay tribute to the cross-functional team in Fáilte Ireland who have been working tirelessly over a number of months on designing and developing our successful submission to the EU.
"The confirmation today of the EU allocation to Fáilte Ireland is a testament to the team's hard work and vision. It is also a recognition of our expertise as the National Tourism Development Authority to deliver projects of scale that will create jobs, empower businesses and build stronger communities leaving a lasting legacy of transformative change that will enhance the appeal of the Midlands as a tourist destination for generations to come.
"It is an unprecedented investment in tourism, and one that is going to have a tangible economic impact in the towns and communities of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East.
“Fáilte Ireland is looking forward to working collaboratively with local tourism businesses and communities, the East and Midlands Regional Authority (EMRA), Bord na Mona, Local Authorities, and our strategic partners including Waterways Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte to deliver this transformational project of scale."
The proposed €30m Midlands Trail Network will comprise connected walking, cycling and water-based trails and related infrastructure as well as thematic art installations and signage across the region.
Some €25m amenity in support for tourism businesses will be awarded to tourism enterprises, which meet a set standard of sustainable tourism, to develop regenerative and sustainable tourism infrastructure and experiences and related jobs.
It is expected that funding will help selected enterprises to expand into on and off water activities, including bike hire, water sports, day-boating and water-taxi services as well as improvements to visitor attractions, especially eco-tourism experiences.
A further €3m for alternative low carbon accommodation will relate to carbon-neutral and low-carbon small-scale developments, including repurposed buildings, at key strategic locations aligned to the trails network.
Finally, €10m for smart solution development includes a proposed programme of hard and soft supports targeting reduced prices and time savings for consumers, efficiency gains and cost savings for businesses, and clustering activities and promotion for the destination in addition to wider economic benefits.
The EU's Just Transition Fund was created as part of the bloc's 2021-27 programming rounds and aims to support European regions most negatively affected by efforts to restrict climate change.
Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5m from the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027, with match funding from the government bringing the total to €169m.
(Pic: Getty Images)
