Fáilte Ireland is aiming to cash in on the Star Wars effect with the launch of a Visitor Experience Plan for the Skellig Coast area.
The plan will focus on a number of projects based on:
- Journeys Inspired by the history of the Skellig Monks;
- the Cradle of Ireland’s Nationhood (centred on Daniel O’Connell’s birthplace);
- A History of Global Connections;
- Where the ocean meets the sky at the edge of the world
The plan coincides with the launch of the Skellig Coast Tourism Network, an umbrella organisation for the tourism, community, business and development groups that fall within the defined catchment area and will work under the Chairmanship of local Cahersiveen man Frank Curran.
The area’s islands were shown to the world in Star Wars: The Force Awakes, with the filmmakers poised to return to the area in the future.
The tourism body aims to increase dwell time in the wider region surrounding the attraction and ensure that developments along the local stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way route hit the mark with international visitors.
Orla Carroll, Director of Strategic Development at Fáilte Ireland, said: “This project is all about widening the current visitor experience from just simply being ‘a trip to Skellig Michael’ to a more immersive engagement with ‘the Skelligs Experience’. This approach will generate increased visitor dwelling times and revenue as well as help increase job creation in the local area. This plan also sets out to protect the special environmental character of the place by spreading tourist activity more evenly across the destination.
Fáilte Ireland devised the plan after consultations held locally last summer. Ms Carroll added: “This inclusive approach gave everyone the opportunity to contribute to the plan and shape the visitor experiences that are unique to this area.”
