The Wild Atlantic Way was awarded a commendation at the prestigious Landscape Institute’s Awards 2016 in The Brewery, London today.
Competing with 43 projects from both the UK and around the world, the Wild Atlantic Way received the “Highly Commended” Award for the Adding Value Through Landscape category for its branding and Interpretation scheme.
The rationale behind the branding and interpretation scheme is to engage the visitor along the coastal touring route, provide a memento of their visit to each Discovery Point (where they can capture photos and digital content at Photo Points) and through interpretation panels introduce visitors to the local stories and customs of the area to encourage increased dwell time in these often remote coastal locations and encourage spend in the local community.
Landscape professionals are presented with the Landscape Institute’s Awards in recognition of their outstanding work, and to encourage excellence. Every year, the Institute acknowledges those working on the most innovative projects to have shaped, restored and protected the natural and built environment. For the Wild Atlantic Way, the Institute recognised the Paul Hogarth Company for its work with Fáilte Ireland to develop the Wild Atlantic Way Branding and Interpretation scheme for the coastal route.
Speaking today, Fiona Monaghan Fáilte Ireland’s Head of the Wild Atlantic Way said: “This is great recognition for the Wild Atlantic Way and caps a very busy tourism season along the route. The creative yet practical signage system developed for the Wild Atlantic Way managed to both subtly fit into the landscapes it sought to promote yet also gave the brand a distinctive look and feel.
“Of course the ultimate award for the route will be sustained growth in visitors and revenue over the next few years, something which we are very confident our west coast innovation will deliver. Now, along with today’s commendation, the Wild Atlantic Way is getting great exposure in London by being showcased in the Institute’s exhibition until the end of the year.”
All of the shortlisted projects, including the Wild Atlantic Way, form part of an exhibition which is currently on show in The Building Centre in Central London and will run till 23 December 2016. The awards shine a spotlight on the work of landscape professionals including landscape architects, designers, managers, planners and researchers.
Landscape Institute (LI) is the chartered body for the landscape profession. It is an educational charity that promotes the art and science of landscape practice. The Institute’s aim, through the work of its members, is to protect, conserve and enhance the natural and built environment for the public benefit. You can read more about the Institute and their awards here.