SLOW Adventure Tourism: Leitrim - enhancing connection to nature for improved health and wellbeing
About this good practice
Leitrim County Council sought to extend the marketing reach of tourism enterprises, by creating a Leitrim-specific brand, utilising natural resources. Locally, the brand would entice people to get “Active In Nature” while appealing to a wider audience.
Problems Slow Tourism addressed were:
• A County depending on Angling Tourism, which was in decline in 2010’s
• A very rural sparsely populated area – Smallest County in Ireland
• The need for investment and development of SMEs.
Partnering with tourism providers, Leitrim offers of an array of slow adventure experiences, inviting visitors to experience nature, its seasons, its weathers and its variations – at a slower, immersive pace, on and by the water. Slow Tourism activates all senses, with activities such as bushcraft and foraging, that engage touch, smell and taste.
Working with stakeholders and apply learnings from other regions, Leitrim County Council reached its objectives by creating a unique tourism offering, utilising existing natural resources and offering opportunities to access activities providing physical/mental health benefits.
Main stakeholders
• Leitrim County Council - Tourism Dept, Heritage, Biodiversity
• Tourism providers – Activities, Culture, Heritage and Accommodation providers
• Rural Recreation Officer/Walks Officer
• Local Communities
• Hospitality Providers
• Farmers/Producers
Beneficiaries of SLOW Tourism
• Local Communities of Leitrim
• Visitors to County
• Small Local Enterprises
Resources needed
All funding and resources (including marketing, website and social media) are provided by Leitrim County Council, which is financed by contributions from the local SMEs and the National Government
Evidence of success
Slow Adventure Leitrim was Irish runner up in the European Destination of Excellence Award 2019
Slow Adventure Leitrim has:
• Given managed access to Leitrim’s natural landscape for sport, health and wellness.
• Enabled new outdoor activity enterprises to be established, including stand up paddling
• Created a unique offering/ selling brand
• Increased visitors to County Leitrim, especially during the COVID pandemic.
• Increased revenue to the local service and hospitality industry.
Potential for learning or transfer
Slow Adventure Tourism could easily transfer to other EU Regions.
GREENHEALTH proposes to improve the management of protected areas in several European regions by strengthening the links between biodiversity protection and human health and well-being.
SLOW Adventure Tourism demonstrates how the natural resources of flora, fauna and landscape can be utilised or packaged to provide a unique, attractive offering to the wider community.
Other EU regions could adopt a similar brand and practices, providing managed access to lands by working with landowners, and giving locals and visitors alike a safe rural landscape to escape to and improve their physical and mental health
Further information
Slow Adventure - Adventure Gently
Images
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
