Failte Ireland today highlighted the great potential of golf tourism as the Golf Forum released new research about overseas golf visitors to Ireland.

The new research estimates that the typical overseas golf tourist is worth almost three times the value of a regular tourist to the country and, with approximately 155,000 overseas visitors playing golf while in Ireland, this amounts to a total estimated spend of €204 million each year.

The research was announced today at the Limerick Strand Hotel in Limerick during the annual briefing for the golf industry from the Failte Ireland Golf Forum, the industry-based group established to help the sector develop.

Tourism Ireland has frequently targeted the golf market over the past year, aiming to capitalise on Irish golfer’s success in the sport, as well as highlighting the country’s fabulous golf facilities.

Dan Flinter, Chair of the forum said: This new research further highlights the importance of golfing visitors to our tourism sector and the role they play in bringing in much needed international revenue into the Irish economy.

Golf is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s greatest tourism assets and Failte Ireland together with Tourism Ireland and the industry are continuing to invest heavily in the promotion of our golf product in 2012.”

“In order to build on the impressive performance reflected in today’s research, the Irish golf sector will not only have to continue to offer memorable experiences but one that is good value for money.

“Most encouragingly, this new research shows that we are hitting the mark on both scores – with visitor satisfaction rates at 94% and value for money at 85%.”

Wild Atlantic Drive Ireland

PLANS are being drawn up for an “end-of-the-world” drive along Ireland’s Atlantic coastline to rival the most scenic road trips around the globe.

Tourism chiefs are working on a link-up of existing routes from Donegal’s dizzying Slieve League sea cliffs to the wilds of west Cork to draw in thrill-seeking motorists from overseas.

The trail will be pitched to continental Europeans and US visitors in particular as the “authentic Irish experience” on a self-drive journey to match famous drives such as California’s Pacific Coast Highway or Australia’s Great Ocean Road.

Alex Connolly, head of communications at Failte Ireland, said the “Wild Atlantic Drive” could be promoted as a two-week holiday which can also be completed in smaller stages for those with less time.

“We’ll be pitching this at people who want to come over and have an authentic experience and enjoy not only Irish landscapes, but also the company of Irish people,” he said.

“It will be for people who are looking for that rugged, authentic Irish experience, the Ireland that at one stage – before the discovery of America – was considered the end of the world, but still has that remoteness and beauty about it.”

Great news that Inishowen is to be included in Fáilte Ireland's 'Wild Atlantic Drive' tourism initiative! http://t.co/BkDHgk8m

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The proposal is one of the flagship projects for the state tourism agency in the year ahead.

There is no defined route yet drawn up but it is already envisaged it will join up the most dramatic by-ways and highways from Donegal through remotest Mayo and Achill Island, into Connemara and over the Burren and on to west Cork.

The themed trail will also act as a “shopping aisle”, with points and markers along the designated way to tempt holidaymakers off the main route to “pleasant diversions” including historical, cultural and tourism attractions.

“People who come from overseas to Ireland don’t necessarily see the counties, and they’re looking for the authentic Ireland,” said Mr Connolly.

“We have as much to offer as other countries when it comes to that kind of thing.

“We now have to work with local communities and local authorities along that whole western seaboard area to try and bring this alive – there is a lot of work to do.”

The initiative is seen as a key way to remarket and rebrand Ireland to overseas tourists without spending too much money during a time of national austerity.

Another major focus in the coming year is Project Britain – a plan to dramatically increase visitors from across the Irish Sea by promoting Ireland as a holiday “at home”.

Research by the tourism agency suggests Britons do not think of a visit to their nearest neighbours as an overseas trip.

Mr Connolly said it was planned to take advantage of this psyche by advertising Ireland as a ‘staycation’ at a time when the economic decline there is pushing up the numbers taking breaks at home.

“Our research is telling us that a lot of British people, when they consider their own home market, they think of places like Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, but they also kind of consider here as home,” he said.

“We think there’s a trick there we should play.

“There may be scope for us to start pitching to possible British visitors who are looking for a home break to come to Ireland.”

With a 4pc increase in visitors from Britain last year after years of steep decline, tourism bosses are expecting at least the same increase this year, which they plan to build upon with Project Britain.

They are mainly targeting the more affluent parts of the UK – London and the south east.

“Given that Britain represents 45pc of our overseas visitors, we really have to crack it,” said Mr Connolly.

There will also be a focus on Germans, who are starting to come back to Ireland in greater numbers as their economy recovers and they see more value for money in Ireland now than in recent years.

See also: Traditional Cottages in Ireland

Ray Thatched Cottage Donegal

There is an expectation that business from the domestic and foreign markets will increase in 2012. However, the agency has warned that there is no room for complacency and says increasing value for money must be the top priority.

2011 saw an increase of almost 6% in the number of overseas visitors here.

Fáilte Ireland’s annual report says this trend should continue, once the industry continues to pay close attention to costs. Ireland is seen as a better value destination than in previous years, particularly by French and German visitors.

View: Holiday Homes in Inishowen

Over 70% of businesses have reduced prices while increasing their marketing efforts and Fáilte Ireland says the sluggishness that crept in during the boom has been replaced by an innovative and flexible approach. Boosting visits from the British market remains a key priority.

It said that while the perception of value has been an issue for British visitors in recent years, better offers from the trade and a weakening of the euro have helped. The perceived value of eating out, drink and the cost of living also improved significantly in 2011, Fáilte Ireland said.

The agency is upbeat about the prospects of increasing visitor numbers from the US and continental Europe and says there are strong indications that Irish people will holiday at home in greater numbers than ever before this year.

Fáilte Ireland’s CEO, Shaun Quinn, said the tourism industry was now in good shape to fight for business in the year ahead.

But he warned that tourism is an export business and one whose fortunes are heavily influenced by consumer confidence.

”Any downturn in the global economy – or even significant fears about a downturn – has the potential to undermine the fragile recovery made so far in Irish tourism”, he said.

Founded in 1981 by Mary and Jamie Young, Killary Adventure Co. is celebrating 30 years at the forefront of the Irish Adventure Industry. From humble beginnings in a few converted cow sheds in Little Killary Harbour to the new purpose built site overlooking the Killary Fjord the business has weathered many storms, natural and economic!

Mary & Jamie Young visited the stunning Little Killary harbour and decided that this was the best spot to start up an adventure centre in Ireland. This was back when there were no transport links to the wilds of west Connemara, bookings were taken by letter and central heating was provided by an old stove! 30 years on and over one hundred thousand people from all around the globe have passed through our centre seeking adventures big and small!

View all Holiday Homes in Mayo

Over the last 30 years the company has grown into Killary Adventure Co, moved to a new location and every year has been innovative in the activities on offer, our impact on the environment and dynamic in how we do business in the every changing economic climate. The business started off as the first privately owned centre in the country and has continued this tradition – building the first High Ropes Course, having Irelands first fixed Bungee Jump, the highest climbing tower and the first wind generator of its kind in Ireland to provide power for the centre, to name a few.

When asked what the key was to surviving 3 recessions “Consolidation & innovation” answers Mary Young, “In a recession, as the income stream decreases, it is essential to ensure that there is a rapid response with the costs going down as well. Bitter experience makes for a great teacher!”

Over its 30 years in business many people have passed through the doors of Killary. Many families, friendships, memories and marriages were made and started here. “We started off just wanting to build a business in the outdoor field and live in the West of Ireland for a while. Then came the desire to make it a sustainable business into the future, so when Jamie & I will have had enough and want to sail away, it will allow our children and other families to live and work with a quality of life that is pretty unique.”

Seafest Lough Swilly at Rathmullan

Come the first weekend of July, the sheltered waters of Donegal’s Lough Swilly will spring to life with sails big and small, with the slap of oars and paddles. The shoreline and golden sands of its beaches will play natural backdrop to theatre and games, to families and friends celebrating in the unique surroundings of our coastal environment.

w:: www.seafestloughswilly.com
t: 00353 74 9158188 or 00353 74 9158874
e: seafestloughswilly@gmail.com

No celebration would be complete without plenty of our coastal food culture: fresh fish and shellfish from our local waters; lamb, beef and pork from our local fields – all of it turned into simply exceptional regional cuisine by our talented local chefs.

Come and join us — on the water, on shore, and at the table.

• Self Catering Accommodation in Rathmullan
• Self Catering Accommodation in Fahan
• Self Catering Accommodation in Buncrana
• Self Catering Accommodation in Ramelton