THE new four-year strategy for tourism in Westmeath is now at draft stage, outlining ambitious plans to link to Failte Ireland’s Ireland’s Ancient East promotion to encourage more visitors into the county.
However, this week, Fáilte Ireland published their annual list of Ireland’s top visitor attractions for 2015, but the only distinction for Westmeath and the midlands region is the absence of any local attractions at the upper end of the list!
Not surprisingly, attractions in the capital rank heavily in the top five fee paying and free to enter choices. The Guinness Storehouse is once again a top choice for visitors coming to Ireland on holiday last year. Other most visited attractions include Dublin Zoo, The Book of Kells and outside of Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience ranks highest.
Amongst Ireland’s ‘free to enter’ attractions, the National Gallery of Ireland once again continues to lead the way with numbers up 21% to over 718,000. Also performing well were the National Botanic Gardens, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology on Kildare Street and Farmleigh all making the top five.
No midlands destination ranks in the top five of either list, although The Lonely Planet website lists Belvedere House and Gardens in Mullingar and Strokestown House in Roscommon among the top choice attractions for the area, while IrishCentral. com cites Viking Tours in Athlone and the Tullamore D.E.W. Visitor Centre among their must see selection.
That there are many attractions across a range of pursuits in the midlands region is certain. What the Failte Ireland figures seem to indicate though, is that their appeal may need to be more actively highlighted to the tourist market.
As Westmeath outlines plans to develop tourism for this county over the next four years, the chief priority is the appointment of a Tourism Officer.
As the draft strategy document was unveiled at a recent meeting of Westmeath County Council, the importance of this appointment was stressed repeatedly by members.
“There is an over-riding need for a Tourism Officer,” says Cllr. John Shaw.
It is a view unanimously supported by fellow councillors.
Perhaps this development will help put Westmeath on the map as one of the midlands’ premier tourist destinations and maybe even guide some of the Lake County’s attractions onto Failte Ireland’s most visited locations in the future!
