Citizens of South Dublin encouraged to take part in tourism strategy

Citizens of South Dublin encouraged to take part in tourism strategy

By Mary Dennehy

CITIZENS of South County Dublin are being encouraged to help grow and promote their hometown as a tourism destination by completing an online survey – which could see participants win an iPad.

South Dublin County Council recently commissioned a County Tourism Marketing and Branding Strategy to identify and promote the county’s unique selling points – in the hope of increasing tourist numbers and boosting employment in the local tourism sector.

The council believes that the community is vital to the success of the strategy and in shaping and selling the image of the county’s best assets – which boasts a diversity not often seen in cities.

South Dublin County looking down on county from DM

South Dublin County is a vast and vibrant constituency linked to the city centre through the Luas and an extensive bus network, with major national roads and a busy circulation of local roads making the area easily accessible.

Once here, some of the attractions on offer across the area include, the Dublin Mountains, waterways, historical villages and buildings, modern retail centres, hotels, award-winning parks, sporting facilities, cinemas, restaurants, golf courses, leisure opportunities, such as hiking and cycling, a theatre, arts centres, Irish centres and much more.

The council is hoping to package everything that is great about the county in a bid to attract more tourists into the area and boost the local economy – but they need the community’s support.

Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said: “Realising our potential as an attractive and strong player in the overall destination that is Dublin depends entirely upon excellent communication and vision for the county.

“The natural outdoors and sporting infrastructure of South Dublin County facilitates opportunities in both activity and business tourism sectors.

“The quality and presentation of our towns and villages augmented and enhanced by our parks, waterways, mountains and other visitor attractions with quality accommodation are fundamental to our tourism, offering an affordable and accessible edge-of-city location.”

South Dublin County 1 Lucan Weir

He added: “South Dublin County is the gateway to the Dublin Mountains, which are in turn home to the Dublin Mountains Way walking trail which was recently listed as one of the 1,001 most scenic walks in the world in an international travel guide.

“Developing the Dublin Mountains as a visitor destination is a priority for South Dublin County Council where we can promote activity, health and well-being, the conservation of bio-diversity, education of our local cultural and natural heritage, and, of course, an enjoyable experience for domestic and international visitors to our county.

“The range of affordable and accessible hotels and other outdoors experiences to be further developed, such as the Dodder Greenway, the Grand Canal Greenway, and the water sports opportunities along the Liffey, will further enrich this potential.”

Members of the public and those engaged in businesses in the area are encouraged to share their views and opinion by completing the online tourism survey at www.sdcc.ie/services

Everybody who completes the survey will be in with a chance to win an iPad.

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