Hopes for new Tipperary food festival raised by new strategy
A new tourism policy could pave the way for a new food festival in Tipperary, a local representative has said.
Welcoming the publication of ‘A New Era for Irish Tourism’, a tourism policy that sets out a vision for growing visitor numbers across Ireland, Tipperary Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess said that a focus on supporting smaller towns and villages as part of the policy could benefit Tipperary.
"This marks a hugely significant moment for Ireland’s tourism and indeed hospitality sector, and it represents a vital boost for communities right across the country,” Cllr Burgess said.
"Tourism remains one of our most important indigenous industries, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and sustaining thousands of small and medium enterprises in both urban and rural Ireland.
"What is particularly welcome in this new policy is its strong focus on supporting tourism SMEs and ensuring that the benefits of tourism are more evenly shared, so that smaller towns, and rural communities can fully participate in and benefit from sectoral growth,” he added.
The new policy also aims to support more diverse forms of tourism, including culinary tourism, which is something that Tipperary could stand to benefit from.
"Equally encouraging is the policy’s commitment to developing a broader and more diverse tourism offering. This includes enhanced support for culinary tourism, food trails, local festivals, heritage experiences, marine tourism, walking routes and improved connectivity,” the Cashel-based councillor said.
"I have spoken at several Council meetings about the potential for Tipperary County Council to spearhead a dedicated food festival for the county,” he added.
"Tipperary Tourism and the Tipperary Food Producers Network are both ambitious, and I have long advocated for our local authority to lead on the promotion of our food sector and vibrant hospitality industry.”
Tipperary Food Producers is a group of businesses involved in the culinary industry, and includes names like Blanco Nino, Cashel Cheesemakers, and O’Donnell’s Crisps.
A food festival in the county would help to encourage more visitors into Tipperary, Cllr Burgess said, and would help promote the diverse range of food producers in the county.
"A Tipperary Food Festival — similar to the highly successful events in Dungarvan and Dingle — would attract visitors, promote local business and ensure that revenue stays within our communities.
" I will continue to champion this initiative, and I am encouraged that the new National Tourism Policy strongly supports this very concept,” Cllr Burgess concluded.