I had a long and very interesting meetion with Carolyne Godkin of Wexford Co Council yesterday, below is a follow up email she sent me today. Things are moving, hopefully we'll see developments in the not too distant future. 
Liam,
Further to our conversation yesterday, Wexford County Council is very much aware of the value of motor home tourism to our County, particularly with Rosslare Harbour seeing in excess of 6,000 motor home entries (2012 estimates) and ownership of in excess of 12,000 motor homes in Ireland. Currently motor home visitors are a regular sight around our County and many use our established car parks (Private and Council operated and subject to parking bye-laws) to explore sites and shop, which we and local businesses are pleased to see.
Nationally, Failte Ireland undertook a comprehensive review of the caravan and a camping sector in 2011 and are working to implement recommendations from that report. These included product development initiative relating specifically to the motor home sector. Wexford County Council is awaiting formal guidance on product development as part of this work.
Locally, Wexford County Council identified motor home tourism as an area of opportunity in terms of tourism growth in their Economic Action plan 2013-2014, and committed specifically to examining the development of motor home parking and associated service points at various locations around the County (working with Failte Ireland and other support organisations) Specifically we are focussing on Hook Head, New Ross and Kilmore Quay. We are making progress, and have observed work completed by colleagues in other local authorities, however we have yet to secure a dedicated budget line for development.
Regards,
Carolyne
Carolyne Godkin
Tourism Development
Economic Section
Wexford County Council
Carricklawn
Wexford
T: 053 9196558 / 087 3291769
E: carolyne.godkin@wexfordcoco.ie
W: www.visitwexford.ie
Liam,
Further to our conversation yesterday, Wexford County Council is very much aware of the value of motor home tourism to our County, particularly with Rosslare Harbour seeing in excess of 6,000 motor home entries (2012 estimates) and ownership of in excess of 12,000 motor homes in Ireland. Currently motor home visitors are a regular sight around our County and many use our established car parks (Private and Council operated and subject to parking bye-laws) to explore sites and shop, which we and local businesses are pleased to see.
Nationally, Failte Ireland undertook a comprehensive review of the caravan and a camping sector in 2011 and are working to implement recommendations from that report. These included product development initiative relating specifically to the motor home sector. Wexford County Council is awaiting formal guidance on product development as part of this work.
Locally, Wexford County Council identified motor home tourism as an area of opportunity in terms of tourism growth in their Economic Action plan 2013-2014, and committed specifically to examining the development of motor home parking and associated service points at various locations around the County (working with Failte Ireland and other support organisations) Specifically we are focussing on Hook Head, New Ross and Kilmore Quay. We are making progress, and have observed work completed by colleagues in other local authorities, however we have yet to secure a dedicated budget line for development.
Regards,
Carolyne
Carolyne Godkin
Tourism Development
Economic Section
Wexford County Council
Carricklawn
Wexford
T: 053 9196558 / 087 3291769
E: carolyne.godkin@wexfordcoco.ie
W: www.visitwexford.ie
