The potential of a visitor attraction at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and a Cork lido or outdoor swimming pool, are among the ideas to be explored as part of a five-year plan to harness the tourism potential of Cork city, its harbour, and east Cork.
The framework plan was launched by Fáilte Ireland, who say among the challenges facing the region is the perception of Cork city as not being a family-friendly tourism destination.
It also cited low levels of awareness of east Cork as a tourism destination.
The plan includes six priority tourism development projects to attract more visitors to the region, including the need to develop a major visitor attraction for Cork city, enhancing the harbour's accessibility, and developing the region as Ireland's food capital.
Details were outlined at a launch in the city by Fáilte Ireland, whose CEO Paul Kelly said these key priority projects have the potential to transform the tourism offering across these locations along Ireland's Ancient East.
"We are confident that this Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) has the potential to significantly increase Cork City, Habour and East Cork's domestic and international appeal, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities," he said.
Among the six projects are plans to develop an unspecified "attraction of scale", in Cork city's docklands which Fáilte Ireland says will address "the lack of a major pull factor" in the city.
The plan also includes the development of five areas within the city of districts, each representing "a significant milestone in Cork's history".
These include St Finbarr's, Shandon and the Victorian Quarter.
The potential of developing a visitor attraction at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and a Cork lido (outdoor swimming pool) are also to be examined.
In east Cork, the promotion of the Midleton to Youghal Greenway, which is due to open shortly, is seen as having the potential to become a significant economic driver.
But the report's authors say the opportunities are considerable for local communities but only if the greenway experience is equaled by the development of local services to meet tourist and user needs.
It acknowledges Cork's ambition to be the country's food capital but says there is a need to connect the food story between the markets, including the English Market, and rural artisan producers.
It adds that the ability to meet the producers, increase the range of food experiences and developing food themed trails will add credibility to Cork's claim as Ireland's food capital.
The five-year plan was drawn up in consultation with both Cork City and County Councils, the Port of Cork, Cork Airport, the Chambers of Commerce, as well as local tourism groups and communities.
Cork City, Harbour and East Cork DEDP co-chairs Aileen Murray and Derry Cronin say the plan focuses on increasing the value of tourism, growing the appeal of these areas, and increasing tourism spend by setting out actions, priorities and future investment in the region.
"The actions within this plan will ultimately strengthen the local communities living in these areas", they said in a statement.
