Encouragement of Tourism Activities

The focus of the measure is to promote the sustainable tourism potential of rural areas, provision of necessary infrastructure and the development of the countryside as a recreational resource for all.

GRD has identified priority actions around the development of recreational trails and looped walks, developing and supporting eco-tourism/bio diversity activities, supporting innovative water based and garden tourism and supporting tourism facilities and amenities that are environmentally sustainable and cater for people with a disability.

Examples of activities that can be supported include:

• Infrastructural needs for tourism and countryside recreation.
• Maintenance and protection of vernacular and heritage features such as disused railway lines, canal towpaths and bog roads.
• Development of forests for countryside recreation.
• Development of niche tourism such as crafts, speciality food provision, ecotourism, genealogy, archaeology etc.
• Development of internet and ecommerce activities to provide booking and information services to tourists.
• Support for the development of tourism facilities and amenities.
• Support for tourism accommodation in line with GRD Priorities.
• Support for tourism marketing.

Activities that are not supported by GRD include:

• Individual applications for print/promotional material and the development of websites.
• New Bed & Breakfast  Accommodation