Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland to appear before Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Chief executive of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons, will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10th to discuss promoting tourism on an all-Ireland basis and harnessing the Irish diaspora as a lucrative tourism development opportunity.

Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Deputy Tom Kitt said: “Despite the economic downturn which has hit tourism very hard, Ireland still offers a very attractive tourist product with world-class attractions. Greater co-operation between north and south should enhance our tourism offering. This meeting with Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons will afford him the opportunity to update the Committee on progress to date in promoting tourism on the island of Ireland.

“Tourism is an important indigenous industry, employing thousands of people around the country in rural and urban areas. Returning the industry to growth would have major economic benefits and help to sustain and create jobs. There are many initiatives that could be introduced to attract visitors to Ireland, including harnessing the Irish diaspora as a tourism development opportunity. An estimated 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry and over one million people born on the island of Ireland live abroad. This represents a huge resource and the Committee will be interested in hearing from Tourism Ireland on any plans it has to target this community in its marketing activities.”

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 at 2 pm on Wednesday 10th February 2010.

For further information, contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
E: ciaran.brennan@oireachtas.ie