Speaker for 1st October 2019
05/10/19 14:59
Club Vice President Derick Woods greets Matt Scrimgeour, with Rotary Club Liaison Officer Liam Hickey (L) and Past President Jim Archer (R)
Coleraine Probus looks at Causeway Coast Tourism
Brief summery:
The Vice President, Derick Woods, introduced this mornings speaker, Matt Scrimgeour, the topic of his talk being “The National Trust North Coast Impact Study.” Matt, a Scottish resident in Ballycastle for 10 years, is part of an independent Company of Consultants who at present are engaging with local residents from the north coast, as part of the N.T. Assessment surrounding the impact of tourism growth in the area. Tourism has the potential to be a positive force for good in the rural community but can also prove challenging and frustrating for local people, especially with regard to the tour coaches transporting the large number of holiday makers from the cruise ships anchored in Belfast Harbour. These day-trip tourists however contribute little to the local economy whereas the long stay free and independent traveler would be more sustainable and likely to be culturally curious and mix well with the locals when visiting museums, art galleries, golf clubs and other amenities. Matt’s address was unique in that the members were able to engage in an extensive question and answer session.
Longer version:
Probus members had a talk with a difference, when Matt Scrimgeour came along to a recent club meeting. Matt is an independent analyst and is currently employed by the National Trust. His task is to look into the possible impact upon NT sites and properties, by increasing visitor numbers. The 'Talk' Matt gave was also a 'Listen', as he wanted to hear members opinions and ideas about the future of the NT, and the Causeway Coast in particular.
To set the scene for the discussion, Matt outlined how the success and popularity of the Trust can be seen in terms of visitor statistics. The number one tourist attraction in all of Northern Ireland is the Giants Causeway, with the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge not far behind, and Portstewart Strand also featuring high in the list. In 2018 the North Coast received approximately one million holidaymakers, and they stayed in local hotels and other commercial accommodation 3.2 million nights, spending £172m during their stay. Clearly a big boost to our economy.
Matt gave an interesting illustration of the growth in tourism in our area. In 2014 it has been estimated there were approximately 20 people visiting the Giants Causeway for EACH STONE on the causeway*, this year it looks like there will be around 30 people per stone, and by 2025 that number is expected to be 40 per stone. That may sound good for the growth of tourism and the economy, BUT there is a serious downside.
"Why do people come to the North Coast?" Matt asked, in general the answer can be put in terms of its unique, natural beauty and (from all the promotional images in holiday advertising seen here) for the quirt, unspoiled solitude. With such a dramatic growth in tourism, how long will it be seen as 'unspoilt'? This also adds to the problems the NT has to face, for it is essential to the purpose of the Trust, be maintain and care for such areas as the Causeway, Portstewart Strand and so forth. The problem the NT has, is a circular one: the more visitors the Trust properties has, the greater the income raised, as well as the increased ware/damage to the environment, which therefore increases the running costs for the NT and the less 'unspoiled beauty' remains.
The question Matt has to ask in his analysis of the problem of success is: 'should we not encourage some visitors, and if so, is there a type of visitor that would be best NOT to have?' Clearly discouraging the 'free and independent holiday travellers', arranging their own itinerary and accommodation, would affect the local economy. However, what about the cruise ship holidaymakers? These often dock in Belfast (sometimes moor off Greencastle) then take a coach tour along the north coast, calling in to many of the popular visitor attractions, before returning to the boat for their evening meal. This gives little to the local economy, yet damages the most to the environment - carbon monoxide from the bus engines, trampled coastal paths and dropped litter etc.
Matt then asked the club members what they thought about the National Trust, and what they would do to solve the problems there is and will be in the future. Members clearly saw the dilemma the NT faced and in an extended Q & A session, offered suggestions that may help, as well as voicing a few complaints. Two of the main points of complaint, and advice on how to improve the NT image to locals and visitors alike were; to have an access to the NT coffee shop and café that didn't require paying the full entrance fee to the visitor centre. Another was that the car park for the Causeway Hotel (now NT owned) should be reserved for Hotel customers, and be free of charge.
The talk Matt gave was first class and was greatly appreciated by the members. It raised many questions that probably wouldn't have occurred to most, and got people talking and thinking as well. In general, most club members would have thought that 'you can't have too much of a good thing', but when it comes to our beautiful and uniquely historical environment, the opinion was that perhaps too much success, much really is too much?
*NB - It is generally estimated that there are about 40,000 stones and pillars that make up the 'Giants Causeway'
Coleraine Probus looks at Causeway Coast Tourism
Brief summery:
The Vice President, Derick Woods, introduced this mornings speaker, Matt Scrimgeour, the topic of his talk being “The National Trust North Coast Impact Study.” Matt, a Scottish resident in Ballycastle for 10 years, is part of an independent Company of Consultants who at present are engaging with local residents from the north coast, as part of the N.T. Assessment surrounding the impact of tourism growth in the area. Tourism has the potential to be a positive force for good in the rural community but can also prove challenging and frustrating for local people, especially with regard to the tour coaches transporting the large number of holiday makers from the cruise ships anchored in Belfast Harbour. These day-trip tourists however contribute little to the local economy whereas the long stay free and independent traveler would be more sustainable and likely to be culturally curious and mix well with the locals when visiting museums, art galleries, golf clubs and other amenities. Matt’s address was unique in that the members were able to engage in an extensive question and answer session.
Longer version:
Probus members had a talk with a difference, when Matt Scrimgeour came along to a recent club meeting. Matt is an independent analyst and is currently employed by the National Trust. His task is to look into the possible impact upon NT sites and properties, by increasing visitor numbers. The 'Talk' Matt gave was also a 'Listen', as he wanted to hear members opinions and ideas about the future of the NT, and the Causeway Coast in particular.
To set the scene for the discussion, Matt outlined how the success and popularity of the Trust can be seen in terms of visitor statistics. The number one tourist attraction in all of Northern Ireland is the Giants Causeway, with the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge not far behind, and Portstewart Strand also featuring high in the list. In 2018 the North Coast received approximately one million holidaymakers, and they stayed in local hotels and other commercial accommodation 3.2 million nights, spending £172m during their stay. Clearly a big boost to our economy.
Matt gave an interesting illustration of the growth in tourism in our area. In 2014 it has been estimated there were approximately 20 people visiting the Giants Causeway for EACH STONE on the causeway*, this year it looks like there will be around 30 people per stone, and by 2025 that number is expected to be 40 per stone. That may sound good for the growth of tourism and the economy, BUT there is a serious downside.
"Why do people come to the North Coast?" Matt asked, in general the answer can be put in terms of its unique, natural beauty and (from all the promotional images in holiday advertising seen here) for the quirt, unspoiled solitude. With such a dramatic growth in tourism, how long will it be seen as 'unspoilt'? This also adds to the problems the NT has to face, for it is essential to the purpose of the Trust, be maintain and care for such areas as the Causeway, Portstewart Strand and so forth. The problem the NT has, is a circular one: the more visitors the Trust properties has, the greater the income raised, as well as the increased ware/damage to the environment, which therefore increases the running costs for the NT and the less 'unspoiled beauty' remains.
The question Matt has to ask in his analysis of the problem of success is: 'should we not encourage some visitors, and if so, is there a type of visitor that would be best NOT to have?' Clearly discouraging the 'free and independent holiday travellers', arranging their own itinerary and accommodation, would affect the local economy. However, what about the cruise ship holidaymakers? These often dock in Belfast (sometimes moor off Greencastle) then take a coach tour along the north coast, calling in to many of the popular visitor attractions, before returning to the boat for their evening meal. This gives little to the local economy, yet damages the most to the environment - carbon monoxide from the bus engines, trampled coastal paths and dropped litter etc.
Matt then asked the club members what they thought about the National Trust, and what they would do to solve the problems there is and will be in the future. Members clearly saw the dilemma the NT faced and in an extended Q & A session, offered suggestions that may help, as well as voicing a few complaints. Two of the main points of complaint, and advice on how to improve the NT image to locals and visitors alike were; to have an access to the NT coffee shop and café that didn't require paying the full entrance fee to the visitor centre. Another was that the car park for the Causeway Hotel (now NT owned) should be reserved for Hotel customers, and be free of charge.
The talk Matt gave was first class and was greatly appreciated by the members. It raised many questions that probably wouldn't have occurred to most, and got people talking and thinking as well. In general, most club members would have thought that 'you can't have too much of a good thing', but when it comes to our beautiful and uniquely historical environment, the opinion was that perhaps too much success, much really is too much?
*NB - It is generally estimated that there are about 40,000 stones and pillars that make up the 'Giants Causeway'
(Once again, many thanks to Graham for the help here)
