2022-2032 Vistitor Experience Development Plan

5 1.2 Designing a Visitor Experience Development Plan for Fermanagh and Omagh Fermanagh Lakelands & Omagh and The Sperrins While management of tourism is defined through national, regional and council boundaries, the reality for visitors is that they don’t see these boundaries nor use them to determine what they do in the area. Through a tourist’s eye, boundaries are likely to be defined as physical or landscape, such as mountains or lakes. It is recognised that many visitor experiences span across regional and electoral boundaries and, whilst this may present some challenges in terms of wider collaboration, it shouldn’t define the visitor experience. This document outlines an action plan to support Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and its partners to deliver the VEDP and build partnerships for delivery with public, private and community stakeholders. The VEDP will play an important role in identifying how partners can ultimately deliver as one destination with two clear key propositions. The plan identifies the existing visitor experiences and how these align to the ambition for the region and the opportunity presented within the broader Northern Ireland destination offering; ultimately, establishing where the long term opportunities for further growth and development are, aligned to key market needs and appeal. Overall, tourism performance in Fermanagh and Omagh is good but there are opportunities to sustainably develop and grow and provide a stronger connection for the visitor across the two propositions. All parties involved recognise that this is the start of a journey that will require a new approach to working with industry partners, communities and key stakeholders. The VEDP will consider the immediate opportunities that can be leveraged in the domestic and close to home markets of Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Great Britain (GB), and longer term considerations aligned to the return of international visitors. The district is uniquely positioned to benefit from potential growth in close to home markets such as ROI due to ease of access, capacity and ability to travel without air travel requirements, tapping into considerations of the conscious traveller. The destination also provides a strong appeal to private boating, cruise hire and campervan markets and can implement a plan that promotes slow and considerate travel, striking a balance on visitor value over volume. Castle Archdale Forest, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark