Lighthouse tourism attracted 622,000 people last year, ‘bringing €16.8m economic benefit and supporting over 400 jobs, a three-day conference in Belfast has been told.
The Great Lighthouses of Ireland tourism initiative revealed that since 2019, there has been a 60pc rise in overnight stays at lighthouses across the country.
The partnership, established in 2015 and led by Irish Lights, is a collaborative effort involving public, private, and community sector partners. Its primary goal is to preserve and promote the rich maritime heritage found throughout the country. The partnership aims to generate future growth for lighthouse tourism through discussions and planning at the conference.
Speaking on behalf of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland partnership, Bobby Kerr emphasised the universal appeal of lighthouses: “growing lighthouse tourism provides numerous benefits: preserving maritime heritage in a positive and sustainable manner, creating economic opportunities and jobs for coastal communities, and attracting more visitors to the island of Ireland.”
Irish Lights CEO Yvonne Shields O’Connor said that collaborative efforts were creating immersive and transformative visitor experiences. The aim is to develop sustainable visitor experiences centred around maritime heritage and culture throughout the region. The increased interest in lighthouse tourism in Ireland signifies a promising future for preserving and promoting the country’s maritime legacy.”
