Tourism has potential to lift Wexford - Kelly

A local Councillor is calling for greater investment and the introduction of a more efficient tourism plan for County Wexford.  Cllr Anthony Kelly said that in Rosslare Europort this county holds the gateway to the south east, but unfortunately much of the incoming traffic is escaping Wexford and heading for tourist hotspots in the west.

Cllr Kelly said;

"Wexford's appeal as a tourist destination should be obvious.  As well as hosting some of the most beautiful landscape in the country, we also have a rich historical and cultural heritage and some of the finest beaches in the state."

"While our local businesses did see an increase in profits made from tourists over the past few months, you could not blame them for feeling a little let down.  Seeing buses full of paying tourists drive off the Rosslare ferry and straight out of the county shows that we have an issue selling ourselves as a prime destination."

"Why does the Wexford Tourism Board not have a kiosk on the Rosslare ferries, but the Waterford one does? Why is there no tourist information office in Rosslare Europort, one of the busiest ports in the state?  These are questions that have to be asked because at the moment we are not reaching our full potential in tourism."

"Its is wonderful to see an increase of 6% in people coming into Ireland between January to July this year over that period in 2012.  However, we need to look at more efficient ways to capture a greater chunk of this influx.  Tourism has the potential to lift our local economy.  A good start would be the opening of a new tourism office in Rosslare Europort and the introduction of a Wexford kiosk on ferries coming into the harbour."