Major tourism investment is destined for Fingal

TOURISM in Fingal has received a boost with news that over

?¬18 million is to be invested in the industry in the county.

The new Fingal Tourism Strategy,

‘Destination Fingal, sets out a vision for tourism in the region and plots the actions necessary to develop the sector.

Among the projects which Fingal County Council has committed to invest in are:

?¢ The East Coast Greenway – a signed tourism route from Howth to Balbriggan,

?¢ The Swords Cultural Quarter, and

?¢ The re-development of various heritage properties in the county.

Heritage tourism, activity and sports-based tourism, food tourism, and retail, conference and business tourism are among the areas which the strategy has identified as offering opportunities. It is understood that the

?¬18 million investment by Fingal County Council will help lever additional funds by the private sector.

At Swords Castle, which is a key element of the new strategy, Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor spoke of his pride at seeing the castle open to the public again after it was closed for many years.

He said it was particularly appropriate that Swords Castle was hosting the launch of the county’s new tourism strategy given that the castle has the potential to play a key role in attracting new visitors to the town and Fingal.

“The strategy estimates that visitors to Fingal currently contribute

?¬500 million a year to the local economy and sustain 20,000 jobs – one in four of our jobs in the county,

? he said.

“There are currently about 800 tourism businesses in the county. This shows the importance of this indigenous sector.

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Mayor O’Connor added:

“Our goal is to ensure the continuing success of the attractions we have and to support the development of new opportunities and new markets.

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Chief executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid said the council will be working with all relevant agencies and with the tourism industry to promote Fingal and develop new and better marketing campaigns to attract new visitors to the county.

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