1. West Regional Authority TOURage Granada, Spain 25 th September 2012 Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) – A Regional Perspective Presented by Shane Winters – EU Project Officer

2. West Regional Authority at a glance Public Body set up on a statutory basis 1 st January 1994. 4 Local Authorities: County Galway; Galway City; County Mayo; County Roscommon. Area: 13,801 sq km. Population: 445,356 (Census 2011). Percentage over 60 years: 18.2%.

3. Roles of the West Regional Authority  Co-ordination of Public Services in the Region.  Endorse consistency and compatibility with the Programmes, Plans & Policies of National Government.  Adoption and Implementation of the West Regional Planning Guidelines 2010 to 2022.  Concerned with challenges which other regions of the EU encounter.  The West Region is always interested in collaborating and exchanging experiences with other Regions to provide solutions to these challenges.

4. West Regional Planning Guidelines 2010 to 2022  Strategic Goal for the West Region in the area of Tourism : “To expand the Tourism Sector in the West Region by creating an integrated approach to facilitate the promotion of all areas in a sustainable and planned manner with particular emphasis on less developed areas. It is also essential to develop new products, services and facilities and maintain and increase the regions’ share of the market subject to relevant environmental assessment of all tourism plans and projects, to minimise environmental impact.”

5. Rural Tourism in the West Region Characteristic features of Rural Tourism:Characteristic features of Rural Tourism: 1Localness1Localness 2Much open space2Much open space 3Sparsely populated3Sparsely populated 4Natural Environment4Natural Environment 5Many outdoor activities5Many outdoor activities 6Infrastructure – weak6Infrastructure – weak 7Strong individual activity base7Strong individual activity base 8Small establishments8Small establishments 9Locally owned business9Locally owned business 10Much part-time involvement in tourism10Much part-time involvement in tourism 11Some farm / forestry involvement11Some farm / forestry involvement 12Tourism supports other interests12Tourism supports other interests

6. West Region Senior Tourism or the “Grey Market”

7. West Region - Organisations Senior Tourism or the “Grey Market”  The Authority has links with important organisations which lobby for the rights of “Senior Citizens”.  They include: Older & Bolder, Older Women's Network, Irish Citizens Parliament and most importantly Active Retirement Ireland.

8. West Region – Key Statistics Senior Tourism or the “Grey Market”  Majority of overseas visitors are over 55.  Of those travelling from Britain 53% are over 55.  Of those travelling from North America 48% are over 55.  Of those coming to the West Region from mainland Europe one-third are over 55.  Voluntary Bodies at national, regional & local level actively support the concept of tourism breaks for older people.  Hotels & Guesthouses offer special mid-week deals outside peak season to the older generation. Source - Tourism Ireland West, 2011

9. West Region - Trends of Senior Tourism or the “Grey Market”  The purchasing power of the Senior Citizens is higher than average.  They are especially interested in sports such as swimming, hiking, wellness, gymnastics, sailing and golf.  Eating Well has become more and more part of their lifestyle.  Quality largely influences when deciding to spend their money on holidays.  Increased demand for quality, comfort and safety, easy transport and for tourism programmes designed for the senior traveller.

10. Key Change of Thinking  We need to start thinking about senior tourism in terms of what other people (domestically & internationally) want in rural areas in the West Region.  Not necessarily what we think senior tourists want!

11. Rural Senior Tourism in the West Region

12. Westport – Senior Tourism Hub Westport House Westport Town

13. Knock Shrine Our Lady Queen of Ireland Basilica

14. Croagh Patrick, Mayo Achill, Mayo

15. Beach at Clare Island View to Clare Island

16. Senior Tourism Destinations & Activities in the West Region Connemara “Wild at Heart” Westport/Clew Bay Ireland West Lake District North Mayo Galway City & Environs Aran Islands

17. Good Practice Focus - Active Retirement Ireland  Founded in 1978.  ARIs Aim is to:- “Help retired men and women usually over the age of 60 lead a full, happy and healthy retirement by offering organized opportunities for a wide range of activities.”  National network of 534 local associations with over 23,000 members.  West Region of Ireland has 74 Active Retirement Associations.  Target group includes men & women over 50 who are retired, semi-retired & on a pension.  Among their many activities are the provision of Tourism Options for their members; http://www.goldenireland.ie/ http://www.goldenireland.ie/

18. Financing  Budget - Self funding and varies on level activities each local association (74) take part in on a yearly basis.  Sources of Funding - Health Service Executive (HSE) - grant given on yearly basis; - Department of Environment, Community and Local Government – grant from 2011-2013; - Affiliation fees per member - €20 annually; - Sponsorship – Atlantic Philanthropies.

19. Structure of Active Retirement Ireland

20. Issues Tackled by the ARI Good Practice  Supporting a community development approach for the long-term sustainability and empowerment of its senior members.  Promote a participative, healthy and active lifestyle for the senior citizens on a local, regional and national level.  Creating a strong sense of independence for the Senior Citizens by providing study trips, outings and events within the region and nationally.

21. Key Objectives of the ARI Good Practice  To encourage retired men & women to participate through the active retirement movement in social contacts and self help activities of a cultural, educational and sporting nature aimed at enhancing their quality of life.  To promote a more positive attitude to ageing and the retirement process.  To enable retired people enjoy a full and active life and advocate for them.  To be a recognized voice for retired people on social, health, learning and economic issues in collaboration with other organizations.

22. Connection to Developing Senior Tourism  All Active Retirement Groups across the region regularly organise short breaks within Ireland together with trips abroad for its members.  In April of this year, Active Retirement Ireland organised a Trade and Tourism Show in Dublin, Ireland which had more than 70 exhibitors, covering tourism and teritage organisations, leisure facilities and the hospitality industry.

23. Evaluation of the ARI Good Practice  The organization’s rate of growth has been constant with a growth rate of 30% in the last 4 years alone.  Alternative sources of funding are needed to ensure the continuity of the work of the organization.

24. Transferability of the ARI Good Practice  Strong transferability possibility.  Local Active Retirement Associations have been rolled out across all regions in Ireland with major membership growth occurring year- on-year.  Co-operation already exists with other Senior Citizen organisations in the UK and EU.  A similar model of senior citizen organizations across regions in Europe can also be adopted.

25. Sunrise in Galway Sunset in Mayo

26. Thank you for listening Contact Information Shane Winters, EU Projects Officer, West Regional Authority, Ireland E-mail: swinters@galwaycoco.ieswinters@galwaycoco.ie mmolloy@galwaycoco.ie