Blacksod Harbour in north Mayo - the lighthouse is set to open to the public as a tourist amenity this summer. Photo: Christian McLeod

Tourism businesses on Wild Atlantic Way attend ‘Networking Together’ event

ALMOST 300 tourism businesses on the Wild Atlantic Way, many of them from Mayo, attended Fáilte Ireland’s virtual Networking Together event this week.

The event was organised to facilitate greater collaboration between tourism businesses on the Wild Atlantic Way in advance of the sector reopening in June.

Meetings focused on developing attractive packages to entice domestic tourists to visit areas.

The event brought visitor attractions, activity providers, food and drink operators together with nearby accommodation providers along the Wild Atlantic Way for pre-scheduled appointments. Businesses shared details of unique local experiences and explored partnership opportunities that would encourage visitors to stay longer and in turn boost revenue in their region when domestic travel resumes.

The meetings focused on how tourism businesses can work together to collectively sell their area as a safe and exciting destination to prospective visitors and drive domestic tourism in their area over the coming months.

Said Miriam Kennedy, head of Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way team: “As we look to reopening, it is more important than ever that we collaborate, coordinate and support each other. Visitors to the region need a clear picture of all there is to see and do.

“Our Networking Together event equips accommodation providers with the knowledge they need to deliver an unforgettable experience to their guests and provide good reasons for them to stay longer and return soon.”

The world famous Wild Atlantic Way was launched in 2014 and is hailed by National Geographic as ‘one of the most scenic drives in the world’. It has also been described as the ‘ultimate road trip’ by the Lonely Planet travel guide.