Rural Agri Tourism

Rural Tourism is becoming increasingly popular, giving small communities the perfect opportunity to develop a unique tourism product while at the same time improving the quality of life in the area.
• Provides Supplementary income to farm families
• Provides the opportunity to develop a viable on- farm alternative enterprise
• Improves quality of life of rural communities


Strategic Plans

1. Implementing the Rural/Agri Tourism Programme of the NDP in North Cork.
2. Aims to increase tourist numbers to the area by exploiting our natural and cultural resources in an environmentally sustainable way.
3. Promote rural development consistent with the priorities identified in the White Paper for Rural Development and the Bord Failte Eireann’s Tourism Development Strategy 2000-2006.
4. To encourage on farm diversification, stimulate enterprise and secure farm incomes.
5. To develop the skills of providers/ operators through participation in training programmes designed to improve visitor satisfaction with the rural/agri tourism product.
6. Develop high quality tourist packages around these natural resources. Check out out Tourism Product Development plans.
7. To improve the promotion and marketing of rural/agri tourism as a product. Also check out Rural Cork Marketing Initiatives.


Funding Opportunities
Here’s a list of examples where grant aid is given priority and maybe awarded;
Product Development
• Examples of appropriate activities are;
• Cycling Routes
• Trail Riding
• Green Routes
• Disabled Visitor Facilities
• Health Tourism
• Other Product

• Grant aid will be provided at a rate of 50% of eligible expenditure subject to max grant of €65,000
• Priority is given to upgrading /expansion of existing leisure facilities;
• Development of new facilities on a selective basis


Accommodation
• Accommodation shall include
• Self Catering
• Holiday Hostels
• Caravan & Camping
• Bed & Breakfast

• Accommodation must meet the following requirements
• at least 3* Cork Kerry Tourism approval.
• comply with Part M of Building Regulations “ Access for People with Disabilities”
• have approved leisure facilities/ activities in place or in the immediate locality.
• B&B’s must have at least three guest bedrooms

• Priority will be given to the upgrading/ expansion of existing accommodation
• Particular priority will be given to restoring Farm Buildings.
• Grant aid will be provided at a rate of 30% (40% - farm buildings) of eligible expenditure subject to max grant of €40,000


Tourism Marketing Promotion
• Eligible activities
• Advertising, priority will be give to Co-operative advertising.
• Direct Mail
• Attendance at sales workshops
• Group development of websites
• Other promotional activities recommended by Cork Kerry Tourism

• All marketing initiatives must only be undertaken in co-operation with Cork Kerry Tourism.
• Groups should be aware of past and present marketing campaigns.
• A three-year Marketing Plan must be provided.
• Grant aid 50% of eligible expenditure to max grant of €10,000 for individual initiatives and €40,000 in respect of group initiatives.
• NB: Individuals cannot be funded for Print promotional material or development of websites


Useful Links

www.corkkerry.ie For accommodation etc


Budding Ideas
If you have got an innovative idea that will develop and enhance North Corks tourism product range in an environmentally and sustainable way, contact 025 – 33411 and we will be happy to advise you on your enterprise.

Tourism Product Development
The North East Cork region only gets 3% of Cork/ Kerry visitors. Blackwater Resource Development is prioritising the development of the heritage product package and walking product package to re-address this situation and attract visitors to the Blackwater Valley.

Heritage

The Blackwater area of NorthEast Cork has a huge heritage resource, which have never been properly utilised in terms of developing a rural/agri tourism product. The area boasts a wide range of castles, wedge tombs (one of the oldest in Europe), stately homes, monasteries and of course Blarney Castle. These places are located along some of the most scenic walking and driving routes in Ireland, the Avondhu Way in particular is one of the most well maintained stretches of the National Way marked ways of Ireland.

The promotion of heritage sites will be an important part of our strategy. Interesting sites will be researched, brought together and developed into a heritage trail. The overall development of the heritage product in the Blackwater area will be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of Blarney Castle and Blarney House.

Walking
At present Blackwater Resource Development is carrying out extensive research into North Cork’s walking product potential and the feasibility of the Blackwater Way. We hope to develop a walking package in the Blackwater Valley by integrating existing tourism amenities & accommodation. It is hoped to link the Blackwater Way with the Kerry Way.