Fáilte Ireland has initiated a study to examine how the cruise hire sector can be developed and grown within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands region over the next ten years using the River Shannon and the Shannon Erne Waterway.
The aim is to support the sector rejuvenate and develop the cruise hire fleet to provide visitors with a “diversified, environmentally friendly, world-class experience
Fáilte Ireland research of domestic cruise hire passengers during the pandemic found that 51% were first timers and over 90% of them would ‘definitely’ do it again.
The study will provide recommendations on new cruise hire base locations and berthing facilities.
It will also explore options for operators to develop new product offerings, such as ecotourism and day boat hire.
The number of boats in the rental fleet has dropped from approximately 530 in the early 1980s to 224 in 2018 – the study will investigate the feasibility of the renewal, revitalisation and greening of the cruise hire fleet.
An invitation to tender seeking applicants to carry out the study was published by Fáilte Ireland on E-Tenders.gov.ie yesterday and applications will close 12 noon, 23 September 2022.
