2022-2032 Vistitor Experience Development Plan

2.5 What has been done and what works? Fermanagh Lakelands Connecting Visitors with Enniskillen It is important to recognise and look to the solid foundation and progress that has already been achieved in the development of visitor experiences in the district. Enniskillen town has had a range of products developed that are now beginning to offer an enriched visitor experience in the town. This is an obvious destination town for the Fermanagh Lakelands, with a strong identity as an Island Town with a unique cultural identity, a rich food heritage that is being developed through the Enniskillen Taste Experience brand, and more recently with the development of Enniskillen Castle Museums and Visitor Centre and the Water Activities Hub along the jetty which is helping connect the town to visitor information and activities along the water. It is important to recognise however that the current public transport offering is not servicing the needs of visitors to the area, particularly those arriving by boat to the key hub of Enniskillen. Therefore onward travel to visitor experiences and attractions can be restricted. Consideration should be given to provision of a service similar to the Causeway Rambler to support visitor movement. Opportunities to develop an Enniskillen Destination Town Hub These would include the further development and promotion of Enniskillen Castle as the arrival point for Fermanagh Lakelands. Key requirements are providing clear key visitor information, planned itineraries and a place to land - welcome and orientation, find out more, see what’s available and get a taste for the rich heritage of the Fermanagh Lakelands and wider Geopark through interpretation and storytelling. There should be a renewed focus ‘on the water’ ensuring that all visitors regardless of how they arrive have the opportunity to access, view and experience the waterways. There are a range of spokes that, with development of infrastructure, could radiate from the Enniskillen hub and help define the different options for visitors to explore Fermanagh . Recognition and promotion of these as stand alone itineraries could be offered upon arrival at the Enniskillen Destination Town Hub, including: ● Water activities on the lakes ● Day boat hire and cruising ● Kayaking and canoe trails ● Hikes and trails through Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Marble Arch Caves ● Historic buildings, parks and gardens around Florence Court and Castle Coole and Castle Irvine QuickWins for the Fermanagh Lakelands ● Online one stop shop ● Complementary ticketing ● Development of night time economy in Enniskillen ● Encourage increased traffic on the water, utilising day boat hire operators to encourage dispersal (hop on/hop off opportunities) ● Develop safe on water experiences for all ages and stages ● Maximise opportunities presented by lakeside vistas ● Water activities on lakes that extend beyond Upper & Lower Lough Erne 20 Fermanagh Lakelands & Omagh and The Sperrins