2010 Report - Waterways Ireland

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5151Conclusions10-031982 Waterway Users Research 2010 Report (1st December)
52525. ConclusionsAt an overall level the results from the research are very positive: the waterways arehighly rated overall, they are being utilised by a wide variety of people and there hasbeen notable improvements in the rating of various facilities. Furthermore, awarenessof Waterways Ireland has increased when compared with the 2004 data. Bearing inmind the wide variety of visitor types and topics covered by the research, we have puttogether conclusions based on the key findings from the research.The research highlights the significant role that the waterways play in the Irishtourism industry. Just over one quarter of users interviewed describedthemselves as holiday makers. This figure increases to 50% for the Shannon-Erne waterway. 47% of these holiday makers are domestic tourists(Irish/Northern Irish) and 53% are from overseas. On this basis WaterwaysIreland should ensure that the focus on the waterways as a tourist destination ismaintained and that both domestic and international visitors continue to betargeted for holidays and breaks on the waterways.Almost one in four users heard about the waterways from friends/relatives/wordof mouth. This figure demonstrates how important as positive experience is todriving usage of the waterways. The spread of the recreational use of thewaterways across communities is a highly desirable outcome. Therefore it isvital to ensure that waterway users have a good experience in order to furtherencourage positive word of mouth.Awareness of Waterways Ireland has increased by nine percentage points to75% since the research was last conducted in 2004. Of those who were awareof the waterways, 91% were able to identify one or more of the functions ofwaterways Ireland. Clearly the message about who Waterways Ireland are andtheir role is being communicated. In order to maintain and improve their profileWaterways Ireland need continue work in the area of promoting themselves,communicating their function and highlighting its importance.The research illustrates how important Waterways Ireland is as an informationsource about the waterways. One in four visitors used the Waterways Irelandwebsite and/or the Waterways Ireland office in order to obtain information aboutthe waterways. Looking at the data by waterway, those visiting the Shannon-Erne and Shannon waterways are most likely to use the Waterways Irelandwebsite. The profile of the Waterways Ireland website and offices as informationsources should continue to be a focus.Ratings for the Royal Canal are less positive than for other waterways with just23% of users rating this waterway as very good. When asked what facilitiescould be further developed, one third of visitors to this area mentioned morebins/cleaning up litter. One in four mentioned that Security and lighting could beimproved upon. In addition, playgrounds are a particular issue for the RoyalCanal with 88% rating them negatively. With the Royal Canal having re-openedin recent weeks and the development of this waterway for other recreationalactivities ongoing, the issues highlighted from the research may assist inproviding further direction in terms of improving this particular waterway.10-031982 Waterway Users Research 2010 Report (1st December)
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Waterway Users Research2010December
Page 3 and 4: 1Executive Summary10-031982 Waterwa
Page 5 and 6: 22their friends and family. This fi
Page 7 and 8: 44Background & Objectives10-031982
Page 9 and 10: 66Research Methodology10-031982 Wat
Page 11 and 12: 883.1 Interviews AchievedInterviews
Page 13 and 14: 10104. Findings4.1 Profile of Water
Page 15 and 16: 1212The chart below illustrates tha
Page 17 and 18: 1414Comparing country of origin acr
Page 19 and 20: 16164.2 Visit to the Waterways4.2.1
Page 21 and 22: 18184.2.3 Motivation to VisitThe ke
Page 23 and 24: 2020In terms of the frequency of us
Page 25 and 26: 22224.2.5 Association MembershipAt
Page 27 and 28: 2424When waterway users are visitin
Page 29 and 30: 26264.2.8 Visit to the Waterways -
Page 31 and 32: 28284.3 Rating of the Waterways4.3.
Page 33 and 34: 30304.3.3 Reasons for Negative Rati
Page 35 and 36: 32324.3.5 Development of Facilities
Page 37 and 38: 3434Positive ratings have increased
Page 39 and 40: 3636In the 53 cases where there was
Page 41 and 42: 3838In the 40 cases where difficult
Page 43 and 44: 40404.5 International VisitorsFour
Page 45 and 46: 42424.6 ExpenditureAll waterway use
Page 47 and 48: 44444.7 Waterways Ireland4.7.1 Awar
Page 49 and 50: 46464.7.3 The Role of Waterways Ire
Page 51 and 52: 48484.8 Equality SectionThe Waterwa
Page 53: 5050In terms of ethnic origin, 98%
Page 57 and 58: 5454Appendix A:Copy of Questionnair
Page 59 and 60: Ipsos MRBI | Waterway Users Researc
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2010 Report - Waterways Ireland

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