- Tourism Ireland plans to include Sligo and the northern Wild Atlantic Way in 2027 international campaigns.
- The focus targets coolcation demand from travellers avoiding extreme summer heat.
- Fáilte Ireland aims to expand international visitor profiles and revenue along the northern half of the route.
- Sligo, north Mayo, Inishowen and Donegal receive five-year destination and experience development support.
- The Shared Island project links the route with the Causeway Coastal Route in the six counties.
Tourism Ireland has revealed plans to include Sligo and the northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way in international marketing campaigns for 2027. The strategy targets international travellers who seek cooler summer conditions. It responds to demand from visitors avoiding extreme heat in southern Europe.
The 2027 framework follows a motion at Sligo County Council by Independent Councillor Marie Casserly. Fáilte Ireland has set a long-term objective to balance tourism across the 2,500 km route. The southern half manages high visitor volumes, while the northern half from Connemara through Sligo to Donegal is positioned to expand international visitor profiles and baseline revenue.
Destination plans include five-year support for Sligo, a 15 km Céide Coastal Path in north Mayo linking the Neolithic Céide Fields with Downpatrick Head, and expanded Western Way trail networks. The Shared Island Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route Tourism Brand Collaboration Project uses a €3m contribution and a €2.9m contribution. The project links Donegal into tourism corridors in the six counties.
