There is a real opportunity with planned investment in existing and new product development to promote Tralee as a leading destination as a family friendly, multiactivity destination for short and...
1.8 Tourism
Closed6 Dec, 2021, 12:01am - 23 Feb, 2022, 5:01pm
1.8 Tourism
Tralee is set within an envious natural environment which includes the Ramsar (Convention of Wetlands of International Importance Designation Scheme) designated Tralee Bay. The town has all the assets and facilities required of a county capital, including a vibrant and rich built heritage dating back more than 800 years, and a growing economic and tourism base.
Tourism is seen as an important tool of economic regeneration and a vital component for the continued vitality and vibrancy of the town. Tourism also highlights traditional ways of life and an area’s character, creating a strong identity and a sense of place. Tourism offers a significant opportunity to present a positive image of Tralee and can provide a framework for investment and relocation decisions over and above the impact of tourism revenue.
Tralee is already a major activity hub and has a long history as a major tourist destination when compared to similar sized towns nationally. Afforded good transport infrastructure links by road, rail line, the public bus network and Kerry International Airport, Tralee serves as a base to explore the established attractions of the wider South West area.
The town and its hinterland are also steeped in heritage and culture with high quality facilities and its proximity to beaches and mountains make it well placed to take advantage of the growth in healthy outdoor adventure sports, activities and water sports. Tralee is less than 60 mins drive to six of the ten highest mountains in Ireland and less than 30 mins drive to six Blue Flag beaches.
Furthermore, as Ireland is quickly becoming an attractive location for cycling tourism, Tralee is in a very advantageous location to capitalise on that growth. The future will see it potentially become the major Greenway Hub of the South-West where the proposed South Kerry, Killarney and Dingle Greenways will eventually join the Fenit and North Kerry Greenways. Future potential also exists in the sustainable development of a “blueway” and coastal trails from Tralee to Blennerville and onto The Spa and Fenit to tie in with the Greenways.
1.8.1 Tralee Bay Coastal Tourism Hub
Tralee and the wider bay area also has a long history as a tourist destination when compared to similar sized towns nationally and therefore has a significant opportunity to enhance this aspect of its economy. The key is to unlock its real potential and to reimagine a new identity for the town in the wider context of the Tralee Bay Area. In order to achieve this KCC has committed to the following “placemaking” objectives for Tralee Bay:
- Strengthen the “Tralee Bay” concept, image and identity as a key destination on the Wild Atlantic Way.
- Support Tralee Town Centre as a gateway to the surrounding bay area and beyond.
KCC also recognises the rich biodiversity in the Tralee Bay Coastal Hub area, with several European sites designated for predominately coastal habitats, species and birds of special conservation interest. KCC will seek to sustainably deliver on the aims of the Tralee Bay Coastal Hub initiative having due regard to these designations.
Tralee Bay Coastal Hub
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Tralee Destination Town Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: |
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TR 54 |
Strengthen Tralee’s identity and sense of place to facilitate the enhancement of Tralee as a Destination Town. |
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TR 55 |
Strengthen and promote the relationship of Tralee Town as central to the Tralee Bay Area on the Wild Atlantic Way and facilitate where appropriate the development of projects listed in County Kerry Tourism and Action Plan 2016-2022. |
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TR 56 |
Support the sustainable development, improved connectivity and accessibility of key features, infrastructure and amenities within Tralee and the Bay Area, subject to environmental assessment including a Green Network, incorporating cycling lanes, Tralee Town Park, Ballyseedy Wood, The Canal, the coastal walk to The Spa, The Tralee-Fenit Greenway, Tralee-Listowel Greenway etc as a mechanism to enhance Tralee as a tourist destination. |
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TR 57 |
Encourage and support collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other agencies in the promotion of quality tourism in Tralee and to continually improve the tourism product in a sustainable manner in harmony with the urban, physical and human environment. |
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TR 58 |
Promote existing features and facilities such as the natural, cultural and built heritage and facilitate sustainable tourism developments that pay due respect to Tralee’s history, environment and location. |
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TR 59 |
Support Tralee as an urban coastal tourism destination while protecting the natural resources on which it relies. |
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TR 60 |
Encourage the development of a range of quality tourist accommodation and attractions of a type and scale appropriate to Tralee and the surrounding Bay Area. |
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TR 61 |
Enhance all the main arrival points with upgrading and environmental improvements, particularly the train and bus station and the approach roads to the town. |
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TR 62 |
Facilitate the growth of Tralee as a Conference destination and facilitate the development of a Conference Centre. |
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TR 63 |
Support the Rose of Tralee Festival and other artistic/cultural events as a mechanism to attract international tourism and extend the tourism season. |
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TR 64 |
Collaborate with relevant bodies to facilitate and promote Tralee as a diverse and inclusive hub for the promotion and growth of multi-cultural arts, crafts, music and culture. |
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TR 65 |
Facilitate the promotion and development of infrastructure and ancillary facilities in Tralee for indoor / outdoor sports and hobbies, adventure and water sports, walking and cycling activities, wellbeing and good health. |
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TR 66 |
Support and promote the Aquadome as a major tourist attraction in Tralee. |
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TR 67 |
Facilitate and support the development of an outdoor performance area in Tralee Town Centre. |
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TR 68 |
Implement the design proposals emerging from the Failte Ireland Destination Town strategy for Tralee including public realm improvements, wayfinding measures, highlighting arrival points, cultural and heritage sites and profiling its immediate connections to significant tourism attractions in the Tralee Bay area. |
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Observations
Observations