Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin today announced that some €190 million will be invested in upgrading and developing new tourist facilities in the next six years.
The funding is focused on completing the upgrading process of some major tourist attractions, developing a small number of iconic heritage attractions and improving recreational areas.
Ms Hanafin said the tourism industry is facing a difficult period because of the present global economic difficulties and the funding provided will help to bring additional revenue to the sector in the next number of years.
“Investment in high quality tourism infrastructure and visitor attractions is essential to ensure that visitors from both home and overseas have the best possible tourism experience.”
About €4 million of the overall funding is being allocated under Fáilte Ireland’s tourism capital investment programme, which will support a diversity of projects in the west of Ireland.
The Clare Coastal Walks, Lough Key Marina in Co Roscommon, the Slieve League sea cliffs in Co Donegal and the Foynes Flying Boat Museum in Limerick will all receive a substantial portion of funding.
Two out of every three overseas visitors to Ireland will visit a heritage site or attraction during their stay and the development of attractions will support the different aspects of Irish culture that visitors can experience, said Ms Hanafin.
“Continually investing and renewing the tourist attractions we have to offer is vitally important if we are to grow visitor numbers in the coming years.”