Transcript The Tourism Geography of Ireland

The Tourism Geography of
Ireland
Learning Objectives
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Demonstrate a knowledge of the main tourist regions in the
Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Understand the distribution and importance of tourist resources in
the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Recognise the increasing role being played by heritage resources
and attractions in the various regions.
Recognise the importance of rural resources in Irish tourism.
Understand the importance of the major cities of the Republic of
Ireland and Northern Ireland as business and leisure tourism
centres.
Recognise the effect of the peace process in bringing about
tourism initiatives and a unified tourism organisation for the
whole of Ireland.
Ireland: Introduction
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Geographic Isolation
Dominantly Rural
Poor in Natural Resources
Heritage
• Religion
• Nation building
• Literary/artistic heritage
• Transport
• Ferries
• Regional airports
• Budget airlines
Ireland: Demand
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Irish holiday taking increasing
Strong economy, budget airlines
Younger population
Pilgrimage important
Domestic tourism strong
Inbound tourism growing but
• Dependent on Britain
• Dependent on peace process
• Seasonality
Ireland: Supply
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Tourism employs 7% workforce
Small businesses dominant
EU assistance important
Failte Ireland: all Ireland promotion
Ireland: Products
• Rural tourism that not only supports the local economy and helps to
stem depopulation from the more remote parts of the country, but also
keeps alive traditions and handicrafts such as embroidery and knitwear;
• Activity holidays, including fishing, golf, sailing, and horse riding;
• Cultural activities based on the theatre, folk museums, and international
festivals;
• Ethnic activities based around the many centres of genealogy;
• English language schools in competition with the UK; and
• Culinary activities.
Dublin and the East (Leinster)
Dublin
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The East
Population focus
Tourism gateway
Dublin Castle
Architectural heritage
Literary heritage
Genealogical office
The Guinness
Storehouse
• Wicklow Mountains
• Vale of Avoca
Western Ireland
• Important cultural region
• Galway capital and gateway
• Touring circuits
  The Great Western Lakes - Corrib, Mask, and Caarra - to the north;
  To the west is a superb indented coastline and the Connemara
Mountains;
  In the south-west, the Aran Islands- famous in Irish literature and
folklore - can be reached by sea or air; and
  In the south are the cliffs of Moher and the Burren area of limestone
scenery in County Clare, which is of great interest to botanists as well
as geologists. A modern visitor centre interprets this heritage, helping
to reduce the impacts of tourism on these sensitive natural areas.
The South West
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Attractive Scenery
Killarney
Tralee
Cork, Cobh, Kinsale
Limerick Shannon
Northern Ireland: Introduction
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Good Transport Links
Coastal Focus of Tourism
Belfast
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
Northern Ireland: Resources
Belfast
• The North
• Giants Causeway
• Glens of Antrim
• Coastal Scenery
• The West
• Londonderry
• Fermanagh Lakeland
• The South
• Armagh
• Ards Peninsula
• Strangford Lough
• The Border Region