Minister urges unity in rural tourism
He said that there was a great need for all people involved in the countryside to see that they had more in common with each other than not. In particular, he called on all of the people who have been involved in the recent work on the walkways and access to ensure that never again is this country given the bad publicity it has been given in recent years in relation to access issues.
“Where there are difficulties, let us respect each other and resolve them by dialogue rather than by confrontation.
“One week of negative publicity in relation to rural Ireland costs millions in terms of loss of goodwill and potential tourists.
“When one sector of the rural economy loses, all sectors lose. Rural economies are interdependent and the good of farmers’ interests is the good of tourist interests, is the good of commercial interests, and so on.”
Minister Ó Cuiv welcomed the positive attitude shown by all of the main organisations involved in Comhairle na Tuaithe towards finding a positive and speedy resolution to the difficulties that were there. “I ask all of the supporters of these various organisations to follow the good example of their leadership and to facilitate the positive development of rural Ireland for the good of all.”
He said the examples of excellence in rural tourism as seen in the awards are proof that, with ongoing co-operation, hard work and an eye for the bigger picture, everyone in the country stands to benefit.
“Although tourism has grown to be our largest national industry, rural tourism is in decline in many areas.”
Minister O Cuiv called on rural communities to recognise that for rural tourism to prosper there needs to be a community commitment towards providing the services and the activities that rural tourists seek.
