​​​​​

Fáilte Ireland has today (Tuesday) launched the ‘Killarney Destination and Experience Development Plan’ that will help drive and sustain tourism across all parts of the region over the next five years.

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney. Pictured in Killarney House are from left: Sinead McCarthy (General Manager Brehon Hotel) Paul Sherry (Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce) Josephine O'Driscoll (Lead Manager Wild Atlantic Way) and Tom Randles (Randles Court Hotel). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Patrick O'Donoghue (CEO Gleneagle Hotel Group) Bernadette Randles (Dromhall Hotel) Gareth Power (Muckross Park Hotel) Moira Murrell (CE Kerry County Council) Paul Kelly (CEO Fáilte Ireland) Tom Randles (Randles Court Hotel) Sinead McCarthy (Brehon Hotel) Emer Corridan (Cahernane Hotel) and Tracey Coyne (International Hotel) pictured at the launch of the Fáilte Ireland new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney over the next five years. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fáilte Ireland has today launched a new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney. Pictured at the launch today in Killarney House are from left: Niamh O'Sullivan (Director of Services KCC) Sheila O'Sullivan Trish Covarr (Aghadoe Heights Hotel) Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District) Chief Superintendent Flor Murphy Diarmuid Leen (Chairman 4th July Festival) Josephine O'Driscoll (Lead Manager Wild Atlantic Way) and Niamh O'Shea (Fáilte Ireland). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

PLAN: Emer Corridan (Cahernane Hotel) Mike Buckley (Kerry Coaches) Josephine O'Driscoll (Lead Manager Wild Atlantic Way) and Patrick O'Donoghue (CEO Gleneagle Hotel Group) at the launch of the Fáilte Ireland ‘Killarney Destination and Experience Development Plan’ on Tuesday. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Fáilte Ireland has launched a new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney. Pictured at the launch today in Killarney House are from left: Miriam Kennedy (Head Wild Atlantic Way) Pat O'Leary (Kerry Tourism Industry Federation) Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Kerry County Council) Caitriona Ryan (Principal Officer National Parks-Strategy and Regional Operation) and Paul Kelly (CEO Fáilte Ireland). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

NEW PLAN: Fáilte Ireland has today launched a new plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in Killarney. Pictured at the launch in Killarney House are from left: Caitriona Ryan (Principal Officer National Parks-Strategy and Regional Operation) Josephine O'Driscoll (Lead Manager Wild Atlantic Way) Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District Cllr Marie Maloney Pat O'Leary (Kerry Tourism Industry Federation) Bernadette Randles (Irish Hotels Federation) Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Kerry County Council) Paul Kelly (CEO Fáilte Ireland) Miriam Kennedy (Head Wild Atlantic Way) President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Cllr Niall Kelleher Angela McAllen (Manager Killarney Municipal District). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

The aim is to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season.

Key stakeholders in the area and the local community were consulted and inputted into the plan including Kerry County Council, Irish Hotel Federation, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, Kerry Convention Bureau and local tourism marketing groups as well as many local tourism operators and networks.

The focus of the plan builds on a number of destination development projects that will bring local experiences to life including Muckross House, Torc Waterfall and Killarney House along with cycling trails that will encourage visitors to discover the Muckross and Dinis Loop.

“This Destination and Experience Development Plan, which captures the unique themes central to Killarney, is about looking to the future of tourism in the region and will be hugely important as we work towards a sustained and sustainable recovery," Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said.

"It provides a framework for tourism businesses and stakeholders to work in partnership over the next five years to create new and improved existing visitor experiences. Local consultation and input was central, and this collaborative approach provided local stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute and shape the plan."

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council added that she is "delighted to see the Killarney Destination and Experience Development Plan being launched".

"It is a great example of how collaboration is the key to building a sustainable tourism industry here in Killarney and will drive the economic growth for all Kerry," she said. 

"Outlined in the plan is a major project for Killarney which will examine the potential to capitalise on Killarney’s outdoor assets and re-imagine its stories through its urban spaces. Developments like this, through public realm and urban animation, have the potential to transform and re-imagine Killarney’s urban centre for both visitors and communities.”

Bernadette Randles, Irish Hotels Federation said that the "Wild Atlantic Way continues to be a phenomenal success and this DEDP gives us the opportunity as tourism businesses to capitalise on the popularity of the route and by enticing visitors to come to Killarney and Kerry particularly in the off peak season and stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and experience everything the town and the National Park has to offer.”