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Rebranding one picturesque Kerry location is reaping rewards as it was this week named one of the ‘Best Places to Visit in 2019’ by one of the world’s leading travel guidebooks.
Rough Guides, which compiles an annual list of the holiday hotspots to excite esteemed travel guide authors for the coming year, named The Reeks District as number three in the lists ‘6 Regions on our Radar’ - which could potentially bring thousands of extra tourists to the region.

Formerly known for tourism purposes as Mid Kerry, the region has been dubbed ‘Ireland’s Adventure Playground’ and was praised by authors for its “postcard scenery of rugged landscapes” and the chance to take part in activities such as walking, hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking and surfing, all in close proximity to each other.
The Reeks District, which was re-branded early in 2018 by local tourism membership organisation the Mid Kerry Tourism Cluster to highlight its strong outdoors and adventure proposition, stretches around Castlemaine Harbour from Inch Beach to Rossbeigh Strand, and includes the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
Rough Guides’ authors chose summiting Carrauntoohil as a “literal highlight” of a visit while also praising Caragh Lake for its beauty.
The Rough Guides entry also extoled the Reeks as “part of a modern Ireland of trendy coffee shops, young designers and boutique B&Bs” that manages to retain a “traditional Irish welcome, musical pubs and hearty fare”.

“We are both astounded and delighted to have been selected as one of Rough Guides ‘Best Places to Visit for 2019’,” Jens Bachem, Chair of the Mid Kerry Tourism Cluster, said.
“We always thought the Reeks District had much more to offer visitors and we are proud to be reaping the first rewards of our re-branding of this magnificent region.”
Funding of the Reeks District is achieved by a mixture of grants and three levels of membership fee: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
“We could not have achieved what we have so far without the moral and financial support of our members,” he added.
“The Mid Kerry Tourism Cluster believes promotion of our region’s tourism offering is far stronger when we work together. We appeal for any businesses wishing to become members, or looking to upgrade their membership, to get in touch with us.”
See www.roughguides.com/best-places-to-travel/the-rough-guide-to-2019/ for more information or www.reeksdistrict.com.