Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media publishes its Report on Rural Tourism

Speaking on the release of the Report Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Niamh Smyth TD said “Much of Ireland’s sustainable regional development is underpinned by tourism. Tourism is often the lifeline of our rural communities, but our communities and our industry are in need of further support. The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media believes that there is a symbiotic relationship between community-building and tourism; our rural communities should be attractive places for residents and visitors.”

The Cathaoirleach added “We endeavour, through our recommendations to Government contained in this Report, to advocate for stronger supports for our rural tourism providers, to promote sectoral growth in digitalisation and accessibility. We know that thriving communities and tourism businesses also depend on a rich heritage and cultural offering.”

Read the full Report  

Some of the Key Recommendations contained in the Report are:

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media ringfence funding for tourism businesses across Ireland to develop their digital infrastructure, including digital skills for the workforce.

·       The Committee recommends that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with Cabinet colleagues with a view to developing standards for accessible public transport to serve rural tourism destinations, including at late hours, and for associated transport planning measures.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media conduct an audit of rural areas and of rural assets, with a view to identifying potential candidates for application to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media examine the feasibility of increasing funding levels for National Cultural Institutions so as to support loans or touring of cultural objects to rural areas in Ireland.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media examine the feasibility of conducting further rounds of the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme and the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme, with a particular emphasis on supporting programming and activity in rural areas. This should be done in partnership with Local Link services, to ensure improved transport provision for the Night-Time Economy.

·       The Committee recommends that Fáilte Ireland examine the concept of wellness tourism in Ireland and provide supports for tourism businesses to develop associated products, to include those related to mindfulness, mental health, destress activities, physical outdoor activities, landscape and nature activities, and traditional spas.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media work with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to develop measures to support regional film, television and content creation and to develop a strategy to build on these screen tourism possibilities.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with the Arts Council with a view to developing additional opportunities for artist-in-residence schemes in rural areas in Ireland.

·       The Committee recommends that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with Cabinet colleagues and with Fáilte Ireland with a view to appointing officers in rural areas with a specific remit over place identity, aesthetic, and branding.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with relevant stakeholders to expedite the development of walkways, greenways, cycleways and blueways across all counties, to be supported by village- and town-specific tourism development plans that capitalise on existing built amenities.

·       The Committee recommends that Fáilte Ireland examine the concept of forest recreation and provide supports for tourism businesses to develop associated products.

·       The Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with relevant stakeholders to expedite the development and publication of a Tourism Strategy for the Gaeltacht, with due regard to the unique qualities of each Gaeltacht area.

·       The Committee recommends that Fáilte Ireland examine the concept of agritourism and consider potential supports for the development of agritourism products.

·       The Committee recommends that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media engage with Cabinet colleagues with a view to developing appropriate accommodation strategies for tourism in rural areas that balance the needs of local communities with those of their visitors.

·       Noting the particular importance of coastal communities and beaches in Ireland’s tourism offering, the Committee recommends that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media develop a strategy and funding stream in partnership with local authorities to enhance our beaches and coastal harbours as tourist destinations, with a focus on accessibility and on tackling erosion as well as supporting biodiversity.

Read more about the work done by The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media  

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