A new plan to develop the the tourism potential in the Shannon region has been decribed as a gamechanger.
Minister Catherine Martin launched the decade-long Shannon Tourism Masterplan this morning to develop tourism potential in the region encompassing the river.
The Shannon Tourism Masterplan, which is the first of its kind in the region, was launched this morning by Tourism Minister Catherine Martin.
Up to 100 million euro will be invested in 140 separate developments along the River Shannon over ten years, in an attempt to attract an additional half a million visitors here by 2030.
The plans, which are to be environmentally friendly, include eight new cruising berths in Athlone, a possible visitor centre at Ardnacrusha and “tranquility zones”, which would allow boats to moor in areas away from harbours.
The Masterplan’s implementation will be led by Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland with 10 Local Authorities, including Clare County Council, along the River Shannon and Shannon-Erne Waterway.
Western Regional Manager with Waterways Ireland, Éanna Rowe says this plan will be a “gamechanger” for the tourism industry and he insists the Covid-19 pademic has highlighted the appetite for amenities like this in Ireland.
The head of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands believes East Clare will become a ‘significant’ asset to tourism in Ireland in the next ten years.
Paddy Matthews believes natural amenities already in Clare will see it at the forefront of the newly launched plan and he says much of the infrastructure is already in place.
