Tipperary Tourism operators have to be innovative according to Tipperary Tourism Chairperson John G O’Dwyer.
Tipperary Tourism is a member-led organisation in the county working to develop county Tipperary as a destination.
The focus needs to be on dwell time and visitor spend rather than on the numbers of visitors to the county.
Mr O’Dwyer says tourism attractions in what he terms the “Slow Tourism” sector will help to achieve the desired status for the county.
Some local offerings such as St Declan’s Way, The Butler Trail, the Littleton Labyrinth Greenway project currently in development and a planned greenway near Lough Derg potentially linking Ballina, Dromineer and Nenagh are all expected to play a major role in the success of Tipperary in the tourism industry.
Mr O’Dwyer, who works in a voluntary capacity, says the costs of promoting Tipperary as a destination is a challenge.
Tourism Ireland recently held a national event at the Rock of Cashel addressed by Mr O’Dwyer.
Tipperary has a huge opportunity to develop given current trends in tourist demands for outdoor experiences in areas that are not congested such as the Cliffs of Moher according to Mr O’Dwyer.
Tipperary Tourism is supported by Tipperary County Council and recently appointed a new Tourism Development Officer, Caroline Rice to progress it’s Tourism Strategy for the county.
