DLR Food Businesses Welcome EU-Funded Polycentric Tourism Initiative with Launch of Dublin Coastal Villages Food Trail
An exciting new tourism initiative, Dublin Coastal Villages Food Trail, has officially been launched marking the start of a six-month pilot project designed to showcase and support over 40 food businesses across Blackrock, Monkstown, Dún Laoghaire, Glasthule and Dalkey.
DLR Tourism has appointed AE Consulting to develop and manage the pilot campaign, which aims to raise the profile of the region as a leading coastal food destination while encouraging greater visitor movement across the five villages.
The Food Trail is funded through the EU Interreg Atlantic Area Polycentric Sustainable Tourism (POST) Project, POST promotes a more sustainable and balanced approach to tourism by encouraging both domestic and overseas visitors to explore a wider range of destinations, supporting local businesses and reducing pressure on traditional hotspots.
Dave Lawless of DLR Tourism commented, “We are delighted to support the Dublin Coastal Villages Food Trail through the Interreg Atlantic Area POST Project. This pilot brings the principles of polycentric tourism to life at a local level, creating stronger links between our coastal villages and helping to spread the benefits of tourism more evenly across the region. It is a great example of how collaboration can deliver meaningful outcomes for both communities and businesses.”
Launch Event
The food trail was officially launched this week at an event in The Purty Kitchen, Dún Laoghaire, where participating businesses, local stakeholders and tourism representatives came together to hear more about the campaign and how it will be rolled out over the coming months.
Guests heard from Food and Travel Editor of The Irish Examiner, Jillian Bolger, who spoke the importance of food-led storytelling in destination marketing, as well as representatives from the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Enterprise Office, who outlined the range of supports and grant opportunities available to local hospitality establishments.
“Initiatives like these are exciting and valuable. They have the power to energise a community, enhance an outlet's profile and bring new visitors to the area. The fact that there is no cost makes it a win-win opportunity for all food and drink outlets along the trail. Every local coffee shop, bar and restaurant should jump at the chance to actively participate.” Said Jillian Bolger, Food & Travel Editor of The Irish Examiner
A Connected Coastal Food Experience
The campaign will focus on building awareness and encouraging movement between the five villages highlighting cafés, restaurants, bakeries, pubs and artisan food producers along the route. Uniquely, the Dublin Coastal Villages Food Trail is the only food trail in Ireland that can be experienced entirely by DART, allowing visitors to hop on and off along the coastline and explore each village at their own pace.
Supporting Collaboration and Growth
AE Consulting, as project managers for the project, will work closely with participating businesses throughout the campaign to coordinate promotion, content creation and engagement opportunities. The campaign will place a strong focus on collaboration across the hospitality sector, encouraging businesses to work together through joint promotions, shared content, competitions, events and cross-village initiatives that help showcase the coastal region as one connected food destination throughout the duration of the pilot.
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