Provision of consultancy services to develop an innovative, sustainable Galway County Tourism Strategy 2022-2030

Tender description

Galway County Council, the Contracting Authority (www.galway.ie ), wishes to develop an integrated and ambitious sustainable Tourism Strategy for County Galway for the eight-year period 2022-2030. Galway County Council is home to the Wild Atlantic Way as well as a significant portion of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in the east of the county. Galway County is also contiguous with the municipal area of Galway City, a national leader in tourism, cultural festivals and events. The Council aims to use these geographical and brand strengths as opportunities to disperse visitor numbers across the County, supporting investment in products, experiences and services, to attain longer visitor stay and spend over the lifetime of the strategy. This will be achieved by working in partnership with Galway’s tourism industry and networks, communities and key stakeholders. Based on the extraordinary natural beauty and cultural assets, including the largest Gaeltacht in Ireland, the Council recognises the importance of tourism in the life and economy of the county, in the context of job creation and supporting local enterprise development. Tourism ensures the sustainability of towns and villages, contributing to the conservation of built and natural heritage, while increasing revenues to the County. Galway County Council recognises the potential of tourism as a key driver of sustainable socio-economic growth across the urban, rural, island and coastal settings of the County. The Council aims to integrate tourism as a core economic activity, by investment in public infrastructure, attractions, festivals and events across the county. Based on the county’s rich and diverse natural, cultural and built heritage, the Strategy will aim to support balanced development of existing and new tourism experiences and destinations, while identifying new opportunities in lesser-known locations.