FERMANAGH’S tourism industry could be given a major boost after it was rumoured that the Erne county could be included in a new Wild Atlantic Way trail.
Since it was launched 10 years ago in 2014, the 2,500 kilometre coastal Wild Atlantic Way route has become one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland and even Europe.
The Wild Atlantic Way has boosted tourism in the West of Ireland and there’s now calls for the trail to incorporate parts of the North, including Fermanagh.
Northern Ireland Minister for Economy, Conor Murphy, has called on Fáilte Ireland to include Fermanagh and other counties in the North in a new route.
The Sinn Féin MLA called on ‘rolling the Wild Atlantic Way into the Causeway Coastal Route, the Hidden Heartlands into Fermanagh, and places such as Downpatrick and Armagh into Ireland’s Ancient East’.
The calls for inclusion of Fermanagh in a new Wild Atlantic Way route have been warmly received by local tourism experts.
“If it happens, we would be just delighted,” said Noelle McAloon, manager at Enniskillen BID [Business Improvement District].
“The Wild Atlantic Way has been the envy of many tourist organisations and place organisations, including myself, for years.
“At our recent board meeting [of Enniskillen BID], we discussed it and how we could try and be a part of it. This is definitely good timing,” she added.
Set up by Fáilte Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way runs from Kinsale in Co Cork, along the west coast taking in the Cliffs of Moher in Clare and on to the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal.
Businesses across the route greatly benefit from the Wild Atlantic West. It’s estimated that revenue generated per year stands around €3 billion, which is an equivalent of £2.58 billion.
The manager at Enniskillen BID feels that any form of inclusion in the Wild Atlantic Way programme would ‘mean good things’ for the town.
“It shows how big and successful it [the Wild Atlantic Way] has been with so many wanting to piggyback on it. You an only applaud how well they have done with marketing and branding,” said Ms McAloon.
“We’ve been discussing attracting coach tours. They follow the Wild Atlantic Way route and they’re a part of that. There’s so many businesses that could benefit from that.
“With the Wild Atlantic Way being associated with Enniskillen, so many different types of businesses would benefit. If we can be a part of it, it will only mean good things.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Councillor, Anthony Feely, would also be supportive of Fermanagh inclusion in the new Wild Atlantic Way route.
“I think it would be of major benefit to tourism in Fermanagh and I support the Minister for Economy [Conor Murphy] in this,” Mr Feely told the Herald.
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