Galway County Council has adopted the county’s first ever tourism strategy, which will be formally launched early this year, to spread the benefits of a growing tourism economy across the county, promote sustainable tourism development, support existing jobs and create new employment opportunities across the sector over the next eight years.

The County Galway Tourism Strategy 2023-2031 is targeting a 10% increase in overall visitor spend by 2030 with a particular focus on attracting visitors who stay longer and spend more in Galway’s towns and villages. Galway benefits considerably from tourism – with 984,000 domestic trips and 1.7 million overseas visitors contributing €754 million in tourism expenditure.

According to Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, “The level of engagement by public bodies, private enterprises, communities and individuals in the development of this strategy underlines the far-reaching significance and benefits of tourism.

“This partnership approach provides a solid and positive basis for the further development of tourism across our unique county, and this strategy will serve visitors and communities across the county well in the coming years.”

“The adoption of this strategy means that, for the first time, there is a collaborative framework in place for the development of tourism over the next eight years across the county,” noted Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council.

“The strategy is built around four strategic areas, each with key actions and recommendations and is also supported by the identification of six Development Zones that ensure more targeted interventions where they are required to address more local challenges and opportunities.”

Conneally continued, “This tourism strategy represents an opportunity to support existing and create new employment, establish sustainability as a foundation for the future, and will extend the benefits of tourism to less-visited areas.”

Alan Farrell, Director of Services with Galway County Council, said that it provides a roadmap that will unlock the social, cultural and economic potential of tourism across the entire county, doing this in a sustainable manner.

“By enhancing our thriving tourism industry and leveraging the successes of key destinations, the strategy will build on the collaborative approach that has been taken in the county over many years and it will complement the regional strategies for the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.”

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