Shore thing!
By Ellen O'Brien
A plan to enhance the visitor experience and unlock the tourism potential of Cork Harbour has been launched.
Fáilte Ireland has announced plans to develop a Cork Harbour Tourism Plan and will work in partnership with Cork County Council and Cork City Council to develop the plan.
This announcement is part of Fáilte Ireland’s five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan for Cork city, harbour and East Cork. The goal of the plan is to position Cork Harbour as a world-class tourism destination and in turn support the sustainable development of the area.
A spokesperson for Fáilte Ireland outlines the main elements of the plan.
“The plan will identify opportunities to enhance Cork’s tourism offering and create a focal point for Cork’s maritime story, seeking to improve accessibility, capacity, interpretation, visitor facilities, visitor flow as well as visitor experiences.”
They added that it will also include a “high-level review of visitor orientation in the Cork Harbour area with recommendations to improve transport, look at sustainable transport initiatives and encourage a greater spread of visitors throughout the area.”
The plan highlights the benefits of developing Cork Harbour as a world-class tourism spot. It outlines the fact that although the harbour is the largest natural one in the Northern Hemisphere, it has been underutilised from a leisure tourism perspective.
The potential opportunities that can arise out of this move are also addressed.
These include increasing visitor numbers to Cork Harbour by developing upon the uniqueness of the islands surrounding the harbour, also brining more attention to the various on-water experiences that are available.
The plan also aims to develop the existing greenways, blueways and transport links to increase the accessibility of Cork Harbour and its communities to Cork city, this in turn will improve land and sea links between the harbour and the city.
Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland, said: “The Cork Harbour Tourism Plan aims to unlock Cork Harbour’s huge potential in attracting both domestic and international visitors to the region.
“The plan will be key in enhancing the unique tourism offering in Cork Harbour to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more which will bring significant benefits for the local economy and community and the wider region.”
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Frank O’Flynn outlined the opportunities and benefits the plan will bring. “The Cork Harbour area has immense untapped tourism potential as the second largest natural harbour in the world, home to a population of 72,000 people and 30,000 jobs which co-exist uniquely within this area of exceptional beauty.
“The scope of this plan will identify opportunities to ensure that this area becomes a world class visitor destination encouraging visitors to stay a little longer ultimately resulting in increased economic benefits to Cork Harbour and the wider East Cork area,” added Cllr O’Flynn.
Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said the plan will support the development of new opportunities for visitors to experience and engage with the river and Cork harbour, and harness the potential of the world’s second largest natural harbour to offer a unique world class tourism experience.
Paul O’Regan Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer at the Port of Cork Company said the announcement “marks a significant milestone in our journey to unlock the true potential of Cork Harbour as a world-class tourism destination”.