Could bikers help drive tourism boost across Tipperary?
Targeting motorcyclists could help boost tourism across south Tipperary, councillors have heard, following the completion of a new feasibility study.
Councillors in the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District were told at the February monthly meting that a study had been carried out on the best ways to promote the area to motorcycle groups.
Maria O’Donnell from the Munster Vales tourism brand gave the councillors a presentation on activities to promote the area, and said that with the mountains and scenic roads, parts of Tipperary could be further highlighted to attract more biker groups to visit the county.
"A motorcycle feasibility study was completed last year to see how we could promote the area to motorcyclists, who seem to be aged around 45, adventure focused, and travel in small groups from March to October,” Ms O’Donnell said.
"An action plan will follow in quarter two of this year with actions for Munster Vales to take to promote the area to this target market,” she added.
Following Ms O’Donnell’s presentation, independent councillor Máirín McGrath said the plans to target motorcycle groups was very interesting and had potential to boost business across the area.
"The motorcycle feasibility study is really interesting, and it’s a really different target market to what would be traditionally targeted in the Munster Vales, but there is a huge community that would benefit from it,” she said.
Ms O’Donnell said that their consultants had spoken to various motorcycle groups about promoting Tipperary to them, and sought feedback on what would make them travel to the area.
"The consultants have spoken with a few motorcycle groups and received feedback on the area. They motorcycle around this area and they use it regularly,” she said.
“They have shared with us some maps they use and the different routes that they take,” she added.
The Munster Vales initiative is an inland tourism destination in the heart of Munster, of domestic and international significance incorporating the Comeragh, Knockmealdown, Galtee, Ballyhoura and Nagles mountain ranges.
It aims to promote parts of Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Clare, Kilkenny and Waterford to both domestic and international tourists, strives to be the premier outdoor activity offering in Ireland’s Ancient East.
An action plan outlining specific measures to attract motorcycle tourism to the area is expected to be published in the second quarter of the year.