A public consultation has been launched on a new draft plan aimed at "creating a world class visitor experience centred on heritage and outdoor recreation" at Glenveagh National Park in northwest Donegal.
Glenveagh National Park is located in the Derryveagh Mountains and spans more than 16,000 hectares.
One of six national parks, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors per year, making it the most visited attraction in Donegal.
Glenveagh was acquired by the State in 1983. The current visitor centre opened in 1986.
The draft plan by the National Parks and Wildlife Service says the existing facilities were designed for approximately 80,000 visitors per year.
It said increases in visitor numbers are putting a strain on capacity with the risk of both visitor disappointment and environmental impact.
The overarching aim of the NPWS plan is to enhance Glenveagh as a major visitor destination while conserving its natural environment and heritage.
A draft seven-year plan includes proposals to create a new visitor hub, a new nature learning centre, improve transport facilities, development of trailways, and to carry out regeneration works at Glenveagh Castle and Gardens as well as habitat enhancements.
The plan aims to make Glenveagh a visitor destination based on outdoor recreation, trail networks and direct experiences with nature while conserving and safeguarding the heritage and biodiversity of the park.
Most of the habitats in Glenveagh are in a semi-natural state. The NPWS said much of the flora and fauna found in Glenveagh is confined to the northwest and it shows similarities with the wildlife of western Scotland.
A key concern raised by the NPWS within the visitor analysis, conducted as part of the draft plan, was the tendency for short or transitory stays among tourists and visitors.
Visiting groups tend to visit the national park for a day and make their way onwards without having a significant stay within the wider northwest region.
It said another specific challenge for Donegal tourism in general is to encourage overseas visitors to journey further north than Galway on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The NPWS said a key challenge was promoting longer stays and visits to wider areas beyond the confines of Glenveagh.
It is intended that the proposed development enhancements will provide opportunities for private enterprise within the region.
The public consultation on the Draft Glenveagh National Park Visitor Experience Development and Management Plan is open until 25 April.
