Galway County Council and the BIA Innovator Campus have taken a leading role in promoting slow tourism in the county, hosting European partners from the Interreg Europe Slowdown project.
The week-long programme brought together nearly 40 delegates from eight countries to explore how slow tourism can support sustainable local and regional development, boost the local economy and foster responsible travel.
The delegation last week toured East Galway to meet local food producers and explore heritage sites, before traveling to Connemara to plan pilot projects, visit Killary Fjord, Renvyle, and Clifden, and engage with regional stakeholders. The programme concluded with an Interregional Steering Group meeting at Kylemore Abbey, and a visit to Spiddal Village.
Cllr. David Collins, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, said, “The week showcased Galway’s unique assets and strengthened international collaboration on responsible tourism. I fully support the Council’s participation in the Slowdown project and efforts to encourage visitors to experience the county at a slower, more meaningful pace, fostering environmental sustainability and cultural engagement.”
Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services for Planning and Economic Development, stated, “Galway is ideally positioned to showcase the benefits of slow tourism, with vibrant communities, rich heritage, and spectacular landscapes. Together with our European partners, we are developing practical approaches to sustainable tourism that will benefit visitors and local communities for years to come.”
Derek Dunwoody, General Manager of BIA Innovator Campus, explained “County Galway’s artisan and small-scale producers are uniquely positioned to meet the rising demand for authentic, experiential tourism. Today’s visitors seek genuine connections with local communities, whether through learning traditional cheese-making, exploring hand-woven crafts, or tasting small-batch whiskey. These experiences embody the spirit of the slow tourism movement, and we were delighted to showcase our clients’ work to the European delegation.”
Galway County Council Tourism Officer John Neary highlighted that slow tourism is a central theme of the County Galway Tourism Strategy 2023–2031, the first-ever tourism strategy for the county, launched in 2024.
“The strategy promotes sustainable, immersive tourism experiences that allow visitors to engage with Galway’s cultural and natural heritage. Our goal is to encourage longer, more meaningful visits, support local communities, and reduce environmental pressures,” he said.
Nagy Péter, Lead Partner for the Interreg Europe Slowdown project, noted that tourism accounts for 10.3% of the EU’s GDP and provides 27 million jobs, though challenges like overtourism and underdeveloped regions remain.
“Ireland is one of nine countries working to improve slow tourism policies through territorial cooperation,” he added. “Visiting Galway and meeting tourism operators to learn how they promote slower, high-quality visitor experiences was a real pleasure.”
The Slowdown project unites nine partners from eight EU countries, including Hungary, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, and Romania, alongside Galway County Council and the BIA Innovator Campus. Visit www.interregeurope.eu/slowdown, www.biainnovatorcampus.ie or https://tinyurl.com/SpotifySlowdown for more.
