Image: Sandra Fahy, Connacht Rugby, Miriam Kennedy, Head of Wild Atlantic Way, Fáilte Ireland, Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, welcomed over 80 Galway City Tourism network professionals to a Fáilte Ireland networking event in the Galmont Hotel on Tuesday 20 May. The event highlighted significant opportunities for the sector in Galway City, with a Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) currently being developed with Fáilte Ireland and local tourism businesses.
Over 80 industry reps participated, with all major accommodation providers, visitor attractions and experiences from across Galway city creating a space for attendees to ‘speed network’, one on one, across sectors - sharing knowledge and building connections to inspire greater collaboration within the sector in advance of the busy peak season.
As keynote speaker, Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, commended the work of the sector, in creating, “the vibrancy, energy, and cultural dimension of the Galway tourism product and service, that is intrinsic to our Galway brand”, and highlighted the importance of, “collaboration with tourism business and community stakeholders to enable tourism development”.
Leonard Cleary acknowledged the importance of, “looking at our tourism offering through the eyes of our customer”, summarising the feedback of 500 overseas visitors through a series of surveys, tracking results year on year, as, “generally positive – with an average stay at 3.7 days, with visitors using the city as a base to explore the County and Islands”.
However Mr Cleary noted a, “concerning trend in that satisfaction level beginning to drop, with ‘Value for Money’ cited as the reason, particularly in accommodation and restaurant/ café prices. 86% of city visitors nominate at least one improvement relating to value for money, up from 22% the previous year. In particular, visitors wanted to see more healthy and locally produced food available. Traffic issues and travelling the city by car are also key improvement areas within travel.”
Visitor Satisfaction Surveys are key information for the sector, with Mr Cleary summarising Galway City Council’s key response to the issues raised, and the importance of working collectively to build on success in a sustainable way.
He said, “A Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) is being developed by Fáilte Ireland with the support of Galway City Council and local tourism businesses. This plan will see the development of 90 actions to support the Tourism and Hospitality industry”. He highlighted the importance of all partners “putting our shoulder to the wheel of this plan”, having seen from firsthand experience the positive impact the DEDP approach had in Clare along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher.
Mr Cleary referenced upcoming Galway City Council projects which will have a transformational impact in the sector including, “Galway City Museum, which is currently inviting tender for the construction of a €16million extension for the Museum, which we hope to see open for the 2027 season.”
Galway City Council is seeking planning consent with An Bord Pleanála for a Watersports Hub on the Corrib, and is about to apply for Stage 1 of the Blueway Accreditation Process in the coming weeks, with Mr Cleary noting, “significant opportunities for ‘activity tourism’ in Galway City in the coming years, in the canals and Claddagh Basin.”
He continued, “Galway City Council has just completed phase 1 of our project to re-develop the 12 Acre site at Leisureland. The scale of the regeneration project is large, with this being a long-term project to develop that site as a key attractor on the Wild Atlantic Way. In Woodquay, Galway City Council has just received planning permission for the redevelopment of the park.”
Mr Cleary detailed further opportunities for the sector, with ‘on-street’ rejuvenation bringing vibrance and footfall into the city. These initiatives include with the Shopfront Enhancement Scheme due to launch shortly; the proposed pedestrianisation of Cross Street and Middle Street; redevelopment of the Tourist Office in Eyre Square, and the commencement of Outdoor Dining in the Westend and Woodquay.
An assessment is underway to explore opportunities for Campervan/ RV service provision, as well as access and facilities at Menlo Castle and Mutton Island Lighthouse.
Galway City welcomes over 2 million visitors per annum. Mr Cleary closed by indicating that the tourism team in Galway City Council will be expanding to grow our services to support tourism businesses and tourism development in the city. All of these tourism projects and supports will be funded from a combination of self-generated income and re-investment of Commercial Rates and Local Property Tax back into amenities and tourism.