2.8 Tourism

Closed6 Dec, 2021, 12:01am - 23 Feb, 2022, 5:01pm

2.8 Tourism

(see Chapter 10: Tourism, Volume 1)

The main aim of this plan is to maximise the opportunity for Killarney by enshrining Killarney as a World Class tourism experience by Creation of a World Class Environment governed by the Principles of Universal Access.

Killarney is a tourist accommodation and service centre of excellence, providing cultural experiences, transport links, heritage features and a wide variety of essential services to the large numbers of visitors who are drawn to the area by its spectacular natural environment. The relationship between the town and the surrounding landscape is certainly a strong feature of Killarney’s authentic charm and character and features such as the National Park and the Gap of Dunloe attract large numbers of visitors each year.

Tourism is the key economic driver for Killarney, however in a highly competitive international market, Killarney must ensure that its product evolves to continue to attract visitors while transitioning to a sustainable model. The Council, therefore, will seek to enhance Killarney’s tourism product and experience for the visitor in conjunction with a transition to a sustainable model, as well as enabling equal distribution of tourism benefits to its surrounding hinterlands.

2.8.1 Strategic Approach to Tourism Development

The strategic approach for tourism in the town involves growing both the average length of stay per visitor, especially in the shoulder and off-seasons, and the average tourist accommodation occupancy rates so to improve overall utilisation, sustainability, yield and profitability. The advantages to Killarney of pursuing this strategy will lie not just in significantly improving returns on current tourism sector investment, but also in reducing the required land take and resources thereby providing more space for uses other than tourist accommodation. The strategic development of tourism in Killarney as a destination will strive to enhance the following:

  • Quality and substance
  • Diversity and resilience
  • Vitality and vibrancy
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Environmental sustainability

The Killarney Destination Experience Development Plan (KDEDP) currently being prepared is a destination development plan designed to build on a new collective vision for tourism in Killarney. It is designed to enhance the way in which visitors experience the town while maximising its role as the principal exploration base for the wider Kerry tourism economy. The plan will provide a destination development focus for the next five years, harnessing existing strategic plans and examining new projects to create a world class destination. Central to the development theme will be the adoption of a responsible approach to how the town integrates with its natural assets in creating new and motivational town experiences for visitors.  This plan supports the implementation of the policies and projects in the Killarney Destination Experience Development Plan.

Tourism Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

KA 50

Encourage and support collaboration with Fáilte Ireland and other relevant agencies in the promotion of quality tourism in Killarney and to continually improve the tourism product in a sustainable manner in harmony with the urban, physical and human environment.

KA 51

Facilitate and support the delivery of the policies and projects that are contained in the Killarney Destination Experience Development Plan, having regard to environmental designations in the area.

KA 52

Sustainably promote existing features and facilities such as the natural, cultural and built heritage and facilitate tourism developments that pay due respect to Killarney’s history, environment and location.

KA 53

Support the sustainable development, improved connectivity and accessibility of key features, infrastructure and amenities within Killarney, focussing in particular on trails that encourage walking, cycling and public transportation.

KA 54

Encourage the sustainable development of a range of quality tourist services and attractions of a quality appropriate to Killarney’s unique location and tourism offering.  Develop new visitor experiences by Enhancing and Extending the “Authentic” Killarney Offer.

KA 55

Enhance all the main arrival points with upgrading and environmental improvements, particularly the train and bus station and the approach roads to the town.

KA 56

Promote and facilitate new festivals and activities in the Town particularly emphasising its role as a family friendly town, while maintaining high standards of environmental management and ensuring that street activities, fireworks etc. do not impact negatively on local character, the environment, or wildlife habitats.

KA 57

Co-operate with community groups and individuals to maintain and improve the natural and built environment.

KA 58

Collaborate with relevant bodies to facilitate and promote Killarney as a diverse and inclusive hub for the promotion and growth of multi-cultural arts, crafts, music and culture.

KA 59

Strengthen Killarney’s identity and sense of place to facilitate the enhancement of Killarney as a tourism destination while maintaining its key role as an economic driver in the area and preserving a balance between economic success and protection of the local environment.

KA 60

Facilitate where appropriate the development of projects listed in County Kerry Tourism and Action Plan 2016-2022 and successor strategies.

KA 61

Strengthen and promote a sustainable relationship and connectivity of Killarney Town as integral to the Killarney National Park.

KA 62

Promote and support the use of manure catching devices for animals along equestrian routes and other areas frequented by horses and Jaunting Cars to maintain a high standard within the local environment.

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PROPOSAL: Add an objective: “Ensure the protection of the biodiversity and tourism-value of Killarney National Park by proactively engaging with all stakeholders to tackle the critical problem of the...