Chapter 10 – TOURISM AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
Overall general observations with CTCD/DPTA’s observations in red:
Community Tourism Groups / Local Destination Management Organisations should be highlighted and included in each of the segments of the Tourism Chapter alongside businesses, community groups and stakeholders.
10.1.1 – pg. 164
Opening paragraph - “Sustainable tourism development involves a concern for the impact of the industry on the host community, climate change and on the physical environment. Sustainable tourism planning therefore requires a balance to be struck between the needs of the visitor, the place, heritage assets and the host community. Erosion and damage to pathways and vegetation associated with multiple uses, particularly in relation to mountain trails, is a concern and such uses may need to be managed to protect these areas for current and future generations” – we request ongoing regular consultation as per Action A.1 of Fáilte Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Visitor Experience Development Plan - Dingle Peninsula Traffic Management Plan with CTCD/DPTA and local communities.
10.1.1 – pg. 164 - Third paragraph – “It is also recognised that the development of a diversified and sustainable tourist industry will require a coordinated approach by the local community, public and private bodies in Kerry to support the recovery of the tourism industry. It is the policy of KCC to work with Fáilte Ireland - South West Region to pursue a strategy for the development of a sustainable tourism industry which minimises adverse impacts on local communities, built heritage, landscapes, habitats, and species leaving them undiminished as a resource for the future, while supporting social and economic prosperity” – CTCD/DPTA are happy to support this statement and look forward to playing its role in being involved as the Dingle Peninsula’s Community Tourism based organisation representing 170 family run businesses, local community development groups and community.
KCDP 10-1 Adhere to the principles of sustainable tourism and have regard to its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts on local infrastructure, sensitive areas and sites, water quality, biodiversity, soils, ecosystems, habitats and species, climate change. - Coming from local engagement which CTCD/DPTA have been engaged in during the winter of 2021/2022, local community development organisations have expressed a keen interest to develop walks in all parishes in the pursuit of a slow immersive model of tourism for Corca Dhuibhne and the possibilities this provides for sustainable tourism, promotion of Gaeilge, heritage, culture and agri-tourism.
These initiatives are very valuable as they come from the community and this type of development can take pressure off the honey pot pressure zones (traffic on Slea Head). We, with Slí Chorcha Dhuibhne, would like to work with Kerry County Council (and Failte Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, NEWKD and SKDP) in developing and achieving an ambitious vision for The Dingle Way and all other looped and spur walks on the peninsula building up to a comprehensive, high quality, off-road walks network which links our villages, beaches, archaeological sites and agri-tourism providers.
KCDP 10-2 Facilitate sustainable tourism development throughout the County and particularly in areas where tourism is currently underdeveloped and where there is a need for local tourism development initiatives including Greenways, Blueways, Peatways, Cycleways, Walkways and Marine Leisure. - Coming from local engagement which CTCD/DPTA have been engaged in during the winter of 2021/2022, local community development organisations have expressed a keen interest to develop walks in all parishes in the pursuit of a slow immersive model of tourism for Corca Dhuibhne and the possibilities this provides for sustainable tourism, promotion of Gaeilge, heritage, culture and agri-tourism.
These initiatives are very valuable as they come from the community and this type of development can take pressure off the honey pot pressure zones (traffic on Slea Head). We, with Slí Chorcha Dhuibhne, would like to work with Kerry County Council (and Failte Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, NEWKD and SKDP) in developing and achieving an ambitious vision for The Dingle Way and all other looped and spur walks on the peninsula building up to a comprehensive, high quality, off-road walks network which links our villages, beaches, archaeological sites and agri-tourism providers.
KCDP 10-3 Liaise with strategic partners such as Fáilte Ireland (South West Region), the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Coillte, other relevant national bodies and the local tourism sector on the identification of land use strategies for areas, focusing on their tourism, environmental and heritage value. – CTCD/DPTA will be available for all elements regarding the Dingle Peninsula.
KCDP 10-4 Facilitate and support the sustainable development of tourism along, or in close proximity to public transport routes.
10.2 Policy Context
10.2.1 National Planning Framework
NPO22 outlines the importance of facilitating tourism development focussing on networks of greenways, blueways and peatways. The importance of protecting our natural landscapes from a rural tourism perspective has been highlighted within NPO 23.
10.2.2 Regional Policy Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (2020)
Page 165 - “The RSES acknowledges the importance of tourism as a significant economic activity and seeks to increase tourist numbers, support sustainable jobs through targeted tourism initiatives, develop activity tourism and leverage natural and built heritage assets. In terms of Kerry’s tourism assets RSES states that it is an objective to support the utilisation and realisation of the existing and emerging tourism assets outlined in RPO53.” An increase in tourism numbers should not be the key measure of success. The principal objectives of KCC should with respect to tourism should be to maximise the economic benefits in terms of visitor dwell time and the economic benefits of tourism, subject to tourism development being sustainable in social, cultural and environmental terms. A key driver should be the distribution of tourism activities to ensure that overall benefits are widely shared and that any negative impacts are mitigated.
10.2.3.2 page 166
“The primary aim of the taskforce is to look at how best the tourism sector can adapt and recover from the pandemic. A primary role of the taskforce is to review the current Tourism Strategy for Kerry (2016-2022) and develop a new plan for the recovery of Tourism. This plan will be launched in 2021 and will identify actions for the short, medium and longer-term recovery.” – what is the current status of this Plan and who are the Taskforce?
10.3.1 page 168
“KCDP 10-5 Engage and collaborate with strategic partners such as Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Services, OPW, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Coillte and other relevant bodies and local communities to develop the tourism sector in Kerry and to ensure that the economic potential of the tourism sector is secured for the benefit of the local economy.” – Ensure that local community tourism groups are supported, endorsed and included in the short, medium and long term collaboration as opposed to temporary implementation groups of Destination Experience Development Plans to avoid displacement.
“KCDP 10-6 Promote and facilitate tourism as one of the key economic pillars of the County’s economy and a major generator of employment and to support the provision of facilities such as hotels, aparthotels, tourist hostels, cafes, restaurants and visitor attractions” – maintain a balance of the integrity and character of existing villages and towns to prevent overtourism and traditional communities moving away from the towns such as Dingle where the community is becoming eroded. This must be done in a balanced way with local housing opportunities / availability for local families, and staff accommodation allowing for long term lets. Controls should be brought in to counteract the loss of community due to AirBnB.
“KCDP 10-9 Establish destination branding as a marketing strategy tool for Kerry to build market opportunities and attract new visitors.” DPTA recommends a coherent and inclusive destination branding strategy as a marketing strategy tool for Kerry.
“KCDP 10-10 Encourage tourism developments, visitor accommodation, interpretation centres, and commercial / retail facilities serving the tourism sector to be located within established settlements thereby fostering strong links to a whole range of other economic and commercial sectors and sustaining the host communities.” – This Action should be where possible. DPTA recommends to create a set of protocols including carrying capacity measurements with balanced planning and management to ensure a balance of amenities and services and prevent host communities from being driven from their homes by possible overtourism and anti-social behaviour that can occur in peak times.
“KCDP 10-11 Work with Fáilte Ireland, for the further enhancement and promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way touring route, subject to environmental assessment.” – The carrying capacity of certain routes such as the Slea Head Drive needs to be included here plus the impact on local host communities and the integration of management systems to manage access to overburdened areas of Kerry WAW. Also, for areas such as the Slea Head Drive, their promotion should be limited to relieve the burden of too much traffic – particularly large vehicles such as coaches which are too large for the landscape and local environment. These are real health and safety issues including the undermining of ‘slow tourism’ promotion and visitor experiences locally.
A Coach Management Booking System introduced:
“The Dingle Peninsula now faces another new season, four years on from our initial requests to local agencies. It is felt that the Dingle Peninsula Traffic Management Plan is just about road widening processes without addressing the fundamental issues of excess coaches. Opening up the roads to take more traffic is just going to continue to undermine the visitor experiences of the Dingle Peninsula regardless of any DEDP. The global reputation that the Dingle Peninsula has worked so hard to build up is now threatened and the visitor experience drastically undermined by excessive coach numbers.
Please note, the Dingle Peninsula Tourism Alliance Council and Members do not see widening the Slea Head Drive or the Conor Pass as solutions. It is imperative that the character of the landscape is not changed to facilitate more volume of traffic and coaches. These places are Special Areas of Conservation.
We would like to highlight the local critical points which were first addressed to Kerry County Council in April 2018:
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The excessive volume / number of coaches using Slea Head;
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The size of the coaches travelling on the Dingle Peninsula;
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The safety of walkers and cyclists, who are also road users and mostly staying on the peninsula, being undermined by too much coach traffic;
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Casadh na Gráige/ Ceann Sraithe being turned into a car park. The cultural heritage, environmental and scenic destruction will be extremely damaging to the area and will have an undermining economic effect to the local businesses including Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. It should not be turned into another Coomakista Pass please;
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The mountain stream at Fahan was diverted underground in the last 2 years (thankfully, it is back now as it was) but this locally well-loved characteristic and part of the iconic drive of Slea Head should not be disturbed again or tampered with in any way to facilitate coach traffic or commercial / sporting events.
However, we are delighted to share with you some possible Immediate Solutions for Season 2020:
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A Coach Management Booking System introduced that would be paid for by a Coach Licensing Fee for the Dingle Peninsula and in particular Slea Head;
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Day Trip Coaches only given access across Milltown Bridge from 11am to 3pm daily allowing locals, walkers, cyclists and residential visitors to get out and about ahead of coach traffic;
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Coaches staggered crossing the bridge at Milltown to every 10 minutes (as you would manage a golf competition) eliminating a convoy of coaches at Slea Head, creating a back-up of traffic and causing congestion to oncoming cars (one coach at a time can allow maneuvering for oncoming cars).
It is important that local representatives are a part of this conversation and Plan and DPTA are more than happy to be a part of the discussion to finding solutions that will be of benefit to all and to ensure the sustainability of our tourism, community and visitor experience for the future. Tourism is our livelihood and whilst we wish to continue to welcome all visitors to our stunning peninsula and landscape, we feel that it is important that we manage and work with Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council to find solutions that will protect and sustain our future generations.“
“KCDP 10-12 Facilitate the sustainable development of the Wild Atlantic Way touring route by: • Facilitating the sustainable development of viewing points and other facilities at appropriate locations along the Wild Atlantic Way, - adding more car parks in sensitive areas is not appropriate and the viewing points should not become oversized taking away from the character of the landscape;
What is meant by ‘other facilities’; and
No carpark should be developed at Ceann Sraithe / Clogher Head due to its environmental integrity and film location attributes.
• Facilitating road improvement works, the provision of lay-bys/passing spaces and parking spaces at appropriate location – widening roads is not an option as it will only facilitate more traffic. Less traffic is required in outstanding landscapes such as the Slea Head Drive and its many scenic locations. Coming from local engagement which CTCD/DPTA have been engaged in during the winter of 2021/2022, local community development organisations have expressed a keen interest to develop walks in all parishes in the pursuit of a slow immersive model of tourism for Corca Dhuibhne and the possibilities this provides for sustainable tourism, promotion of Gaeilge, heritage, culture and agri-tourism.
These initiatives are very valuable as they come from the community and this type of development can take pressure off the honey pot pressure zones (traffic on Slea Head). We, with Slí Chorcha Dhuibhne, would like to work with Kerry County Council (and Failte Ireland, Udarás na Gaeltachta, NEWKD and SKDP) in developing and achieving an ambitious vision for The Dingle Way and all other looped and spur walks on the peninsula building up to a comprehensive, high quality, off-road walks network which links our villages, beaches, archaeological sites and agri-tourism providers.
• Addressing traffic and visitor management issues having regard to environmental sensitivities and designations in the area. – Host communities must be added here and it is essential that host community consultation should be made mandatory here at the outset to any planning and not at the final stage of signing off plans;
Also, when issues emerge, local groups and communities must be engaged with and immediate action taken rather than a progression and escalation of the issues;
Communication structures must be developed and implemented locally and throughout the county to avoid issues in other areas; and
On the ground traffic management is required in peak season during peak times such as is required for Festival and Event traffic management.
10.3.2 page 169
“KCDP 10-13 Support inter-agency initiatives to secure the establishment of visitor attractions focused around key tourist sites and attractions in conjunction with adjoining local authorities, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and other key stakeholders in appropriate locations and subject to the principles of sustainable development.” – Lesser-known regions of the county should be prioritised to encourage the spread of visitors across the county. Any new initiatives should be of scale to the local communities and area and ensure that they do not become a “day-trip” but encourage overnight stays in the local area.
10.3.3 page 169
KCDP 10-14 Support new and existing festivals and cultural events at suitable locations within Kerry subject to the appropriate licensing arrangements, in consultation with stakeholders such as community groups, local businesses and residents where feasible and practical, and to protect and safeguard the amenities and the natural and built heritage of the area.” – Local community tourism groups should be added here as they support and promote their local festivals and events.
10.3.4
Page 170, second paragraph - “Kerry County Council will continue to liaise with bodies such as Failte Ireland, the tourism industry and other stakeholders to identify visitor services in areas that require enhanced facilities. The Council will support tourist bodies and local community groups in the provision of adequate recreational and tourism infrastructure.” – add ‘local community tourism groups to this section’.
“KCDP 10-20 Facilitate the development of the necessary tourism infrastructure, visitor attractions and supporting facilities at appropriate locations in the County in a manner that does not have an adverse impact on the locality and environment.” – add host community
“KCDP 10-21 Facilitate the sustainable provision of parking including coach parking facilities within and on the edge of towns and villages and at appropriate scenic viewing points and tourist facilities.” - No carpark should be developed at Ceann Sréithe / Clogher Head due to its environmental integrity and film location attributes.
10.3.5
Page 172, Second paragraph – “The provision of new tourist facilities should respect the outstanding quality and variety of the natural and built environment of Kerry and it is the policy of the council to restrict development that would be likely to impact negatively on the local environment. – add community here as the impact of tourism can have a negative impact such as the local residents in Dingle Town;
Page 172 – “Under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) No.2 Regulations 2019 reforms have been introduced to the short-term letting sector. These reforms are aimed at addressing the impact on the private rental market by the use of residential 10. Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Draft Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 173 homes for short-term tourism type letting in areas of high housing demand. These provisions only apply to areas designated as ‘Rent Pressure Zones’ under the Residential Tenancies Act (as amended).” – Due to the scale of Airbnb lets in Dingle town and on the peninsula, local families and businesses requiring staff accommodation cannot get long-term rentals. Positive steps should be taken asap to ensure balance in the local social community structures and prevent the loss of local families in the region, weakening local communities leading to a loss in the Irish language and local cultural heritage. This will be extremely damaging to the overall visitor experience as a result.; and
there is no mention of unregistered accommodation numbers in this plan.
“KCDP 10-26 Support best practice environmental management including energy efficiency, e-charging, waste management and recycling in accommodation providers and tourism enterprises in the County.” – public e-charging points are vital immediately across the peninsula to facilitate the increased number of electric cars visiting the area. The peninsula has only one public charging point in Dingle town.
“KCDP 10-28 Encourage the sensitive redevelopment and / or return to suitable use, of derelict, vacant or redundant buildings, in appropriate locations in order to provide for visitor accommodation and tourism development.” – local housing could be included here too.
“KCDP 10-30 Ensure that future caravan, camping and parking facilities in coastal areas will not be visually intrusive or impact on sensitive coastal environments (e.g., sand dune systems).” – Who will manage / enforce this? Management on the ground is required.
“KCDP 10-31 Prohibit the change of use of residential properties to short-term letting in established residential areas and newly constructed residential developments.” – this should include towns and villages in popular visitor areas. Can it please be clarified what happens if these developments are planned for this specific purpose - Is there a distinction between holiday properties and residential properties?
10.4.1.1
Page 174, fourth paragraph – “Cycling and active travel are growing in popularity as safe routes are being developed throughout the county. There are a number of initiatives both nationally and internationally that can be used to promote and develop cycling tourism within the County including the promotion of the EuroVelo Route 1 which passes through Abbeyfeale-Listowel-Tralee-Dingle (Slea Head) along the Ring of Kerry to Beara.
KCDP 10-39 Support the sustainable development of a National Cycle Network and the development of the EuroVelo project, in particular the Atlantic Coast Route where it passes through the County.” – Fantastic initiative – with the importance of safety, the volume of traffic and large vehicles must be reduced on the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head to facilitate this initiative.
10.4.1.3
“KCDP 10-44 Sustainably promote, in co-operation with the various statutory and relevant organisations, at appropriate locations the more extensive use of the coastal strip for such activities as touring, sight-seeing, walking, pony trekking as a sustainable tourism and recreational resource for the residents of County Kerry and other visitors”. – what is meant by touring in this context?
KCDP 10-45 Promote opportunities for enterprise and employment creation in marine tourism where it can be demonstrated that the development will not impact negatively on the marine environment. AND KCDP 10-48 Support the sustainable expansion of non-commercial fishing activities in coastal communities and the development of complementary on-shore landing and hospitality facilities/services.” – with the challenges that the inshore fishing community have on an ongoing basis, can these actions become a way for them to supplement their livelihoods and / or transition to showcasing the significant cultural heritage of their industry.
10.4.3
“KCDP 10-58 Protect and promote the County’s built heritage assets and towns and villages that are the focus for tourism development and seek opportunities to sustainably enhance their tourism potential while adhering to best practice standards in relation to the environmental management of tourism enterprises.” – include host community here as the social management side of tourism enterprises.
“KCDP 10-61 Support and facilitate relevant stakeholders including the OPW, the Heritage Council, Fáilte Ireland, Údarás Na Gaeltachta, the Arts Council, Waterways Ireland, local communities and businesses to support the development of heritage and cultural tourism in Kerry.” – add local community tourism groups.
