A NEW tourist attraction has recently launched in Enniskillen as tourism in Fermanagh starts to get back on its feet after a difficult year due to the pandemic.

Following the success of its hydrobike hire service at Castle Archdale, outdoor leisure company, Erne Adventures, has recently introduced the alternative water crafts to Enniskillen, offering locals and tourists alike the opportunity to explore the island town by water.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, the owner of Erne Adventures, Peter Bradshaw, said that it's "definitely nice" to be able to bring the hydrobikes to the county town.

"We’ve been doing Castle Archdale for years and the hydrobikes just lend themselves to Enniskillen. It’s exciting," he said, adding: "Enniskillen provides something completely different – there’s so much to see, there’re so many sights around the town.

"There’s the castle, under the bridges and where you go past Portora, the Broadmeadow. There’s so many nice things to see in Enniskillen."

Peter explained that the hydrobikes course leads around the island of Enniskillen, with safety boats and tour guides on hand if a user requires assistance.

“There’s always somebody close by to help them navigate around the parts of the town where there is boat traffic," he added.

The hydrobikes were introduced to Enniskillen last week and so far have been very popular.

“It’s been busy and we’re starting to get booked well through," noted Peter.

Alongside Erne Adventures, Peter also runs Drumhoney Holiday Park on the outskirts of Lisnarick.

Talking about his hopes for the future of tourism in Fermanagh, following a difficult year due to the pandemic, he said: “I think Fermanagh is going to be definitely booming for the next number of years and hopefully beyond.

“There’s such a big tourism offering in Fermanagh which has grown so much over the last three to four years.

"There’re so many different accommodation providers, self-catering accommodation and hotels expanding. There’s just so much more to offer than there was five years ago," he said, noting that there are "so many different providers that have started doing wee niche tourism things", going on to highlight the food tour, Enniskillen Taste Experience, as an example.

"There’s so much happening now that there wasn’t before. I think Enniskillen and Fermanagh is becoming a proper tourist destination," he told this newspaper.