Laois Tourism is to launch its ambitious five-year Strategic Plan for the development of the industry in the county, in Castle Durrow this Thursday evening, February 1.
Minister Charlie Flanagan will be on hand to formally launch the report.
‘A Strategic Plan For Tourism in Laois 2018-2023′ is the culmination of a yearlong research and consultation process by W2 Consulting. It was a joint venture by Laois County Council. Laois Partnership Company and Laois Tourism.
The Strategic Plan calls for a rebranding of the Laois Tourism offering and acknowledges the relatively low level of performance in Laois from a sector which is prospering and growing nationally in terms of tourist numbers, tourist spending, investment and socio-economic value.
However, the Strategic Plan also strikes a confident note that while it is a challenging and competitive environment for Laois Tourism there is vast potential and opportunity for progress, development and improvement over the lifetime of the strategy.
The Strategic Plan notes that by 2025 there will be over 10 million visitors to Ireland annually and that Laois has the capacity to develop its tourism offering, infrastructure and profile to benefit more significantly than in the past.
Laois is currently one of Ireland’s least visited counties and Laois’ revenue and visitor numbers from tourism is the third lowest in the country.
The core purpose of the five-year Strategic Plan for Laois Tourism is to address this under performance and to provide a blueprint and template for the industry to achieve considerable improvements in its tourism ranking and rating through the co-operation of all sectors and stakeholders within the county.
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