Forest recreation generates €268m

FOREST-RELATED tour-ism and recreation activities in Coillte plantations generate an estimated €268 million of economic activity for the rural economy every year, it was disclosed yesterday.

Coillte, which has 11 forest parks and more than 150 recreation sites countrywide, welcomes more than 18 million visitors each year to its forests and manages more than 52% of all off road national trails.

The statistics were revealed at the launch of a €5.3m initiative by Coillte, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, which will provide outdoor recreation facilities for walkers and cyclists.