Wild Atlantic Way passport on the horizon – Daly

The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) is to get a further boost next year after Fáilte Ireland confirmed to Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Jim Daly, that it will consider implementing a WAW “passport” in next year’s work programme.

Deputy Daly said he was delighted to receive such a positive response from Fáile Ireland after he submitted the proposal to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, for consideration.

“The whole idea of this initiative is to build upon the wonderful success of the Wild Atlantic Way initiative which was introduced by the Government three years ago. As visitors make their way along the route they will be able to collect official stamps that prove they have been a visitor to each area.

“Once they have completed the route, which can be done over a number of years, they can apply for an official WAW passport. The passport will be seen as a collector’s item for visitors; somewhat of an achievement and a nice memento of their trip to the west coast of Ireland. The passport could also entitle the holder to certain discounts along the route in the future, subject to business participation.

“Fáilte Ireland confirmed to me that it will look at international best practice for similar touring routes that use a passport-type approach, a very successful example being the pilgrim passport for the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and take the learning with a view to implementing a similar process for the Wild Atlantic Way.

“I hope that the WAW passport will help to attract visitors to all destinations on the route. It is these types of initiatives that will reap rewards for West Cork and indeed Cork airport as we work to get more and more holiday makers to choose Cork as their getaway destination.”