DERRY City and Strabane District Council was one of a number of partners who attended the two-day Cool Route Project Partners meeting in Cork recently.
The purpose of the event was to get an update on the initiative and to discuss the way forward in terms of maximising the potential of the sailing sector across all regions of Ireland and the UK, including Derry and Strabane.
The Cool Route Project – Cruising Oceans on Latitudes above 51 Degrees North – investigates all aspects of the potential to establish a yacht cruising route along the western offshore areas of the Northern Periphery Area, stretching from Co. Cork in the South of Ireland, to the UK (Northern Ireland and Western Scotland) and onwards to the Faroe Islands and Norway.
As an ecotourism product, exploiting the natural resources of the area in a manner that is sustainable and environmentally viable; this new sea route will be marketed internationally and will have a common branding, booking and information system.
Aeidin McCarter, Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District says the event was beneficial as it afforded the Council the opportunity to provide an update on its GIS based information and booking system that is in place for the route and to get an update on what the other partners are doing in terms of profiling their area for marine tourism and investment.
She said among the items discussed over the two-day event was a draft marketing strategy and some key decisions relating to the agreement of stopovers.
She said it was agreed that the Cool Route Project will continue to engage with SME’s along the route in an effort to maximise the potential for local businesses in each region.
She said Derry City and Strabane District Council’s participation in the COOL Route Project is key to assisting Council bring to life our marinas and waterways and to putting Derry and Strabane firmly on the sailing map.
“Derry City and Strabane District Council is very focused on promoting the city and region’s maritime offering and we are keen to look at new ways to utilise our waterfront and rivers to encourage investment and tourism.
“By being part of this initiative we will be involved in dialogue with all service providers, tourism interests and interested stakeholders along the route that will greatly benefit us in being part of this hugely exciting maritime tourism project.”
The Cool Route Project is funded by the Interreg VB Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme.
