asked the Minister for Transport and Power (a) the amount spent by tourists in this country last year, (b) the estimated amount spent by Irish people who went abroad on holidays in the same period, and (c) if the Government are prepared to give some incentive to Irish people during the present financial crisis to encourage them to see Ireland first.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Expenditure.
1.
The estimated expenditure by visitors in this country in 1965 was £67.7 million; in addition, it is estimated that the gross receipts of Irish carriers from visitors amounted to £10.5 million; the estimated expenditure outside the country by residents of Ireland in 1965 was £28.2 million, and the State incentives for tourist development benefit all holiday makers and no special incentives for our own people are envisaged. Preferential treatment for our own holiday makers would be quite unjustified and calculated to damage the ever-growing tourist trade.
How are these estimates made?
By the Central Statistics Office.
By sample?
By samples, and the numbers of persons travelling by air and by sea. I think I have answered a question in detail about that.
In what way does the Minister think it would damage the tourist trade?
It is generally recognised that tourism should be a free trade in character. You would have to have a very serious situation arising, more serious than the situation now, before countries of our type would wish to put on restraints or give inducements to any particular class of tourism.
Surely the present situation is serious? There is a definite shortage of money. If we are to have a Buy Irish campaign, what is wrong with giving incentives to people to spend at home the money, amounting to £28.2 million, which they spend abroad?
I think there probably will be a Buy Irish campaign for tourism in view of the present difficulties outside this country. I do not think the Deputy need worry that hotels and travel agencies will lack initiative in that respect.
Could you not give a rebate of income tax the same as is given in respect of insurance policies?
Question No. 2.