Regional Gepgraphy - Tertiary Economic Activities in the Western Region

Tertiary Economic Activities in the Western Region

Western Region 

Tertiary activities - Transport and Tourism 

If the question asks for one tertiary activity, write about tourism. If the question asks for two shorten the below answer on tourism and add in information about transport which can be found in the previous post on secondary economic activities.

Tourism 

The Western region is one of the most attractive tourist regions in Ireland. It has the landscape, activities, food and drink and culture to keep both Irish and international tourists content. 

One of the more interesting aspects on offer is a form of religious tourism. Every year tourists flock to Croagh Patrick for the July Pilgrimage. This involves climbing bare-footed up the scree covered slopes of the Mayo mountain. This unusual event draws tourist to Westport which benefits greatly from the one million tourists who climb the mountain each year. These tourists require food and drink, entertainment and accommodation in local restaurants, bars and hotels. 

Tourists also visit the Marian Shrine in Knock where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in the 1800s. Various shops and businesses have grown up in the area to cater fort the passing tourists. Many of the West's 2.5 million tourists each year visit Croagh Patrick and Knock as well as some of the more note worthy religious buildings such as Kylemore Abbey and Galway Cathedral.

A second reason why tourists visit the Western Region is because of the various sporting activities such as hill walking, fishing and adventure racing. Official walking routes have been established such as the Western Way and the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, a 60km walking route around Clew Bay. Adventure racing is a hugely popular and growing tourist attraction. Gaelforce West has become an annual event with over 2500 athletes running, cycling, climbing and kayaking from Galway to Mayo. Westport, the base for this race, is entirely booked out on the second last week of every August. 

In Roscommon there are an abundance of fishing locations especially along the River Shannon and in lakes like Lough Allen and Lough Rea. Fishermen can hire boats and fishing equipment and sail north or south alone our longest river. Galway city also has a wealth of tourist attractions. Aside from the Galway Races there is soccer in Terryland Park and Gaelic games in Pierce Stadium.