Request: For a policy to be included to support the development of a tourist hostel in the town, and for the identification of a site in the new Zoning Map.
Reason: To facilitate additional tourists arriving on the new Greenway to stay overnight in the town. Also, to enable passing tour coaches to stop overnight in the town, additional bed spaces will be required, especially to facilitate groups of 56 people (capacity of a tour coach).
This would bring additional customers for existing businesses in the town, enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, create demand for additional services to open on the Main Street and overtime begin to reverse dereliction.
Background Evidence: According to Failte Irelands ‘Discover Ireland’ Accommodation Listings, at present there is only one hotel (18 bedroom) in the town centre and two B&B’s on the edge of town.
To enable Abbeyfeale to attract overnight tourism, additional bedspaces will be needed in the town, to suit a variety of group sizes and budgets.