South Dublin County Council is showcasing its brand-new five-year tourism strategy through a tour of libraries across the county. This Tourism Strategy library tour started in County Library, Tallaght on the 1st of May and the display will visit Lucan, Ballyroan, and Clondalkin throughout the month. The tour showcases the council’s new five-year tourism strategy, unveiled by the Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Alan Edge, at an event in Tallaght Stadium in February, and is designed to highlight the strategy to a wider audience.
Backed by extensive stakeholder engagement at local, regional, and national level, coupled with thorough research, the South Dublin County Tourism Strategy, 2024 – 2029 offers a clear roadmap for all tourism stakeholders. It aims to chart a sustainable path forward for the county’s tourism sector, leveraging its key assets, building upon previous successes, and fostering inclusive economic growth. The strategy underscores the council’s commitment to spearhead tourism development in collaboration with local businesses, communities, as well as national and regional partners. With a planned multi-million euro investments, including transformative projects like the Dublin Mountains Visitor Centre, Tallaght Heritage Centre, and enhancements to the Grand Canal, the council is demonstrating an ambitious yet sustainable approach to tourism development.
Recognising the economic potential of tourism, the strategy also prioritises nature, culture, heritage, and community engagement. A baseline study reveals that tourism contributes €140 million annually to South Dublin County, supporting approximately 3,780 jobs and returning up to €32.2 million to the Irish economy. With the implementation of the strategy, revenue is projected to reach €216 million, supporting up to 5,427 jobs in the tourism sector.
At its core, the strategy outlines five strategic priorities to build upon past achievements and position South Dublin County as a premier visitor destination within the Dublin region. Building upon the foundation laid by previous initiatives, the strategy includes completion of significant projects such as the Dublin Mountain Visitor Centre, the Tallaght Heritage Centre, and the Dodder Greenway, enriching the county’s tourism offerings. Moreover, the strategy identifies six new catalytic projects aimed at transforming tourism in South Dublin. These projects range from maximising the potential of Lucan House as a tourism hub to exploring opportunities for overnight stays in the area, fostering economic growth and enhancing visitor experiences.
The Tourism Strategy library tour consists of a mixture of hard copy and digital displays. It is hosted by the Council’s County Promotion Unit in collaboration with Tallaght, Lucan, Ballyroan, and Clondalkin Libraries, and it is intended to provide an insight into the county’s tourism vision.
The displays will be available to view at Tallaght library until 24th May 2024, and throughout the month will tour Lucan, Clondalkin and finish in Ballyroan Library on the 7th of June.
The full strategy, along with a summary document, is also available online at https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/sport-and-recreation/tourism/south-dublin-tourism-strategy/
For information on tourism providers in South Dublin County, and various visitor events please visit www.dublinsoutdoors.ie
