Delivery of Tipperary tourist amenity needs to speed up – ‘We need to make the most of what we have’
Plans for a tourism amenity in a popular Tipperary tourist town aimed at keeping tourists in the town longer need to “speed up” to make the most of what the town has.
That’s according to Cashel councillor Liam Browne who echoed calls for an interpretive centre for the Rock of Cashel, which would aim to attract more visitors to the area, and keep people in the town longer.
General manager of the Cashel Palace, Adrian Bartels called for the interpretive centre for the Rock of Cashel, saying that the delay in providing this was hampering local businesses in the town.
Agreeing with this sentiment, Cllr Browne said that he shared Mr Bartels’ frustrations.
"I have to fully agree with Adrian here, and share his frustration at the delay in providing an interpretive centre in Cashel, focused on the Rock and surrounding areas, but with a view to attracting visitors to the centre of town and not just the Rock area,” he said.
“I know that plans are ongoing, but they are too slow, and need to speed up. We need to make the most of what we have and add it to the other good things in the town centre are,” the local councillor added.
Recognising the need for more hotels in the town too, Cllr Browne said that the focus needed to be on what Tipperary County Council could provide for Cashel.
"I know many people will respond to this, by saying we also need a new hotel, or hotels in town, and I completely agree with them. But those aren't things a council can provide, they are for hotel groups or individuals to decide to build, based on a business need,” Cllr Browne said.
"Councils can make that business environment better however. Providing an interpretive centre will increase the number of visitors and tourists, and also increase the business case for a hotel group to look again at building a hotel in town. One thing can follow another, bringing increased jobs and prosperity.
“I will continue to make this case at council level, and hopefully speed the process up,” he added.