Motorhome tourism on Council radar

THE development of small-scale motorhome services at suitably located rural pubs and restaurants is something being examined by the County Council. 

The local authority has published a motorhome policy to to help create further tourism opportunities in this area while also benefitting areas of the county that may be lacking in other forms of accommodation.

Its recommendations include helping pub and restaurant owners set up  motorhome services; as well as examining the possibility of developing small-scale motorhome services in suitable council-owned locations.

The 2015 figures issued by the European Caravan Federation stated that there were approximately 1.7m motorhomes registered in Europe with the highest levels of ownership in Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

These figures indicate that there is a significant market in overseas motorhome tourism as well as within the Irish domestic market.  

Cork County Council says that it will, in the coming months, establish a steering group, comprising representatives from the Council, the Irish Caravan & Camping Council, Tourism & Hospitality providers, Motorhome sector representatives, Fáilte Ireland and other relevant statutory bodies to develop the policy.

County mayor Declan Hurley believes this is a growing form of tourism and one which Cork could capitalise upon.

‘The clear choice of location for motorhome services in Cork are existing commercial and accredited camping facilities,’ he said.

‘We want to provide services for caravans and motorhomes in areas where they currently do not exist, which will enable the growth of motor home facilities and ultimately tourism.’

Cork County Council told The Southern Star that it recognises that there are gaps in the geographical spread of suitable facilities throughout the county and in consultation with other stakeholders, will identify a list of potential pilot locations for the delivery of community led small-scale motorhome services.  

These locations will be in areas of the county that are not serviced by existing commercial facilities.