By Claire McCormack
Post-Covid tourism presents “significant and sustainable” opportunities for the Hidden Heartlands counties of Longford and Westmeath, the Oliver Goldsmith Festival of 2022 has heard.
From the Midland’s record-breaking Center Parcs resort, the alluring potential of its raised bogs, its historic canals, lakes and waterways, vast agricultural lands, hospitable people and rich literary roots, well-known travel journalist Eoghan Corry has forecast “an exciting future” for tourism in the region.
At the conference, Daragh Feighery, Village Director of Center Parcs, confirmed that his company is to spend €85m expanding its forest resort in Co. Longford, with the creation of 250 permanent jobs once the development is complete.
Some 200 additional accommodation lodges are to be built, including four luxury tree houses, while existing guest facilities are to be extended at the Ballymahon resort.
