A local Sinn Féin TD has called for more measures to encourage cross-border tourism.
Cathy Bennett was speaking in the Dáil yesterday advocating for the areas of Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal, Derry, Tyrone and Armagh to be included in tourism policies.
She also expressed the need for a rail network to run through Monaghan, Cavan, and Donegal.
While addressing Enterprise Minister Peter Burke, she stressed that the lack of rail network is making tourism a challenge:
She said: "If you look at the top of Ireland on the map, we have no rail network up there at all. It's not on at this stage.
"Of course, the maximum potential across the avenue of tourism, we requirement an accurate understanding of how the tourism sector is performing," Deputy Bennett added.
Responding to her calls, Minister Peter Burke explained there was less tourism because of the airport cap.
However, a new plan is to launch in early December which will boost opportunities for businesses in the north:
Minister Burke said: "The plan that we have, hopefully to launch in early December, will show how we're going to grow revenue sustainably, grow visitors coming in, and also have career pathways.
"We will be looking at extending the season from St. Brigid's Day, right out to Halloween. There is a huge amount of opportunity, I think, in those areas," he added.
