Strategy Marine Tourism & Leisure March 2007
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE in LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH Areas PREPARED FOR The Loughs Agency East Border Region Committee North West Region Cross Border Group March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………………………….1 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 10 2. MARINE TOURISM: DEFINITION ............................................................................................ 18 3. CONTEXT REVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 20 4. MARINE TOURISM: MARKET TRENDS ................................................................................ 33 5. MARINE TOURISM: SOCIAL & ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE........................................... 60 7. EVALUATION OF MARINE TOURISM FACILITIES ......................................................... 91 8. SWOT ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 96 9. VISION AND STRATEGY .......................................................................................................... 107 10. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ........................................................................................ 118 11. ACTION PLAN ........................................................................................................................... 126 APPENDIX 1 - ILLUSTRATION OF AUDIT ................................................................................ 139 APPENDIX 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 140 WORKSHOP - ATTENDEE LISTINGS ......................................................................................... 140 CONSULTANCY TEAM Peter Mac Nulty Judith Annett Allan Balnaves John Joyce Stéphanie Teyssedre Tourism Development International March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION In 2004, the Loughs Agency commissioned Tourism Development International to prepare strategy and action plan for the development of marine tourism and leisure in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. The overall objective of this study is to examine the development potential of marine – related tourism and recreational activities in the Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle and to recommend a strategic plan for the realization of that potential. Marine Tourism is the sector of the tourism industry that is based on tourists and visitors taking part in active and passive leisure and holidays pursuits or journeys on (or in) coastal waters, their shorelines and their immediate hinterlands. Marine Leisure is a collective name for a full range of activities or pursuits that are undertaken by local people, tourists, and day visitors in these marine related localities. The assignment was carried out in two stages. For the initial stage, Tourism Development International examined the current situation in the two Loughs. This involved a comprehensive consultation programme, an audit of existing marine tourism and leisure facilities, field visits, policy review and examination of trends in tourism and marine tourism and leisure demand. On completion of these tasks the consultants prepared a S.W.O.T analysis for the two areas in terms of their potential as marine tourism and leisure destination. A series of team brainstorming sessions were held with a view to determining the most appropriate vision and positioning for the two Loughs in the marketplace. A Strategy and Action Plan was subsequently formulated for the realization of these visions and desired positioning. This Executive Summary sets out the fallowing in respect of both Loughs: • Evaluation of Marine Tourism Facilities • Overall Vision • Strategic Aims • Implementation Tourism Development International 1 March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN 2. LOUGH FOYLE Tourism Development International carried out a comprehensive audit and evaluation of marine tourism facilities on Lough Foyle. The findings can be summarized as follows: 2.1. Evaluation of Marine Tourism Facilities on Lough Foyle • Accommodation - Mainly Derry/ Limavady - Predominance of static caravans in relation to beaches - poor match with emerging markets - Difficult to find enough/right type accommodation for events. • Key Attractions - Derry quayside events, Foyle regatta, Moville regatta - Benone beach and events - Malin head - Irishowen landscape and scienic drive(undersold) • Markets and Participants - Mainly domestic in Benone – some international Derry/Donegal - Not promoted as lough/ area • Activities - Wide range of marine activities, limited keelboat and dinghy activity, sea angling, diving, surfing, kite surfing, kite boarding all with local and tourism participant. Lake water activities in Creggan CP Derry. • Activity Service - No sheltered berths for local and visiting yachts. - One non residential activity centre. - Yacht/boat club service local people all year round and visitors at events. - Opportunities for training and progression in dinghies, keelboats, powerboats, surfing mainly for local people - Fully service sea angling opportunities but limited capacity. - Otter activities DIY • Facilities - Poor infrastructure for keelboats, sea angling boats and small recreational craft (though good projects in the planning stage). No ‘destination’ - Poor beach service except Benone Tourism Development International 2 March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN • Mobility - Poor/ no public transport links to activities - No public transport serving both sides of the lough - Potential loss of scenic rail journey along the Foyle - Ferry at Greencastle/ Magilligan • Information - Most information presented separately for North and South; lack of integrated/coordinated approach. - Management and Regulation - Modern by laws in progress for all Lough Foyle (to narrows) under jurisdiction of L’derry Port and Harbour Commissioners. - Beach wardening and zoning scheme at Benone - Normal international rules of the road operate on the lough - Some issues between jet skis and commercial shipping. • Safe and rescue - Well covered by N&S emergency service, Foyle Rescue and RNLI Tourism Development International 3 March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN 2.2. Vision for the Foyle Area The vision is that in 10-15 years time, Lough Foyle and its maritime hinterland will be well established as a destination for city-based tourism, as a focal point for organized and independent tours and, especially, as a part of the island of Ireland that is well known for its unique and adventurous maritime experiences. FOYLE VISION A Destination for A Focus for ORGANISED CITY-BASED TOURISM & INDEPENDENT TOURS Well Known for its UNIQUE & ADVENTUROUS MARITIME EXPERIENCES A Significant Destination for City-based Tourism: focused on Derry and its surrounding area, where the usual city break components (accommodation, entertainment, food and drink, heritage attractions, tours, shopping, etc) will be complemented by a range of appropriate marine tourism experiences, such as river cruises and dining; boat excursions; adventure boating; coastal tours; and more active pursuit opportunities. A Focal Area for Organized and Independent Tours: including cruise ship visits; coach tours; special interest field trips; explorations on the North Atlantic Trail and the North Donegal Visitor Trail; other independent tours (car-borne, motorcycles, cycles); and day visits by tourists staying in the significant adjoining tourism destinations of Donegal and the Causeway Coast. These touring visitors will be attracted into the area for at least one night or for the best part of a day. Tourism Development International 4 March 2007 LOUGH FOYLE AND CARLINGFORD LOUGH : MARINE TOURISM AND LEISURE PLAN Well known for Unique and Adventurous Experiences: including sailing/boating (including teaching); cruising; sea angling; diving; wildlife watching; and other adventure boating, supported by a new marina on the eastern coast of Inishowen; much extended Berthage at Derry’s waterfront; improved accommodation at Culmore; and new boating facilities at Bunagee (Culdaff). An Attractive Area for Achievement Seekers: especially visitors to Ireland’s most northerly point (Banba’s Crown at Malin Head); long distance walkers/cyclists; those who want to enjoy the thrills of more adventurous activities (eg RIB trips, rock climbing, seeing the wrecks); and wildlife spotting. The variety of experiences will be a major strength. Other opportunities to support the vision: • A centre of excellence for beach –based activity • A strong base for multi- activity tourism breaks • A well known – marine events venue • An important source of tourism visits to surrounding areas • The result of cross – border co – operation • An exemplar of sustainable tourism development 3. CARLINGFORD LOUGH A comprehensive audit and evaluation was also carried out for Carlingford Lough. The findings of this audit and evaluation can be summarized as follows: 3.1 Evaluation of Marine Tourism on Carlingford Lough • Accommodation - Mainly south side - Predominance of static caravans in