Promoting Cross-Border Tourism Across the Blackwater
Publish Date: Thursday, 09 November 2006
The Blackwater Regional Partnership, a cross border initiative which aims to promote natural resource tourism across Tyrone, Armagh and Monaghan, recently teamed up with Flavour of Tyrone and tourism departments in Armagh and Monaghan to host a familiarisation trip for accommodation providers, trainee tour guides and tourist information staff from across its catchment area.
The day trip took in each of the county's most treasured locations such as Tyrone Crystal and The Linen Green in Dungannon, St Patrick's Trian, Market Place Theatre and Palace Stables in Armagh, Castle Leslie and the new Leisure Complex in Monaghan, and Rally School Ireland in Scotstown.
Julieann Spence of Blackwater Regional Partnership said:
"Through this familiarisation trip, we endeavoured to create a greater sense of familiarity between tourism representatives and places of interest in their own and neighbouring localities. Tyrone, Armagh & Monaghan boast vital tourism assets, but visitors need high quality information and advice to help them enjoy it. Those who took part in the day were able to feel enthusiastic about helping to develop tourism in their area and also benefited from being able to meet other people in the tourism industry and exchange ideas."
Those who took part were given tips on how to make the visitor experience more rewarding whilst feeling confident that the information they provide is accurate and is tailored to the characteristics of the visitor.
Funding for Blackwater's Natural Resource project has been part-financed by the European Union through the INTERREG lllA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership. A total of €1,192,172 had been received from INTERREGIIIA and additional €397,391 from Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council, Armagh City & District Council and Monaghan County Council to support and deliver the project over a three year period.
