A major new plan to develop the tourism potential of the Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains region has been launched this week.
The Visitor Experience and Management Masterplan (VEMMP) is a seven- to ten-year plan designed to provide a phased road map to protect and enhance the setting of Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, and to establish key sustainability objectives, against which future projects will be assessed and realised.
‘Extensive Framework’
“The Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains National Park Visitor Experience and Management Masterplan provides a significant and extensive framework to grow tourism in the region,” said the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.
“I welcome the publication of this plan today, as its successful delivery will offer a world-class visitor experience in the beautiful natural surrounds of Glendalough and [the] Wicklow Mountains.”
Cultural Heritage
The plan was developed collaboratively, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, including its National Monuments and National Parks and Wildlife Services, Coillte, Fáilte Ireland, the OPW, Wicklow County Council, and representatives from the local community.
The initiative seeks to enhance natural-built and cultural heritage, disperse the benefits and impacts of tourism, and improve the overall visitor experience.
‘International Significance’
“Glendalough is already a well-established tourist hub and major cultural attraction in the National Park and has the potential to build its appeal as a site of national and international significance due to its monastic city and natural heritage,” said Orla Carroll, director of product development at Fáilte Ireland.
“It is vitally important that this beautiful site is preserved for future generations, and a key focus of this masterplan was to get the right balance in improving the visitor flow, parking facilities and accessible trails, to enhance the overall experience of Glendalough and balancing the conservation and heritage of this amazing place for visitors and locals alike.”
