asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether Bord Fáilte have any plans to develop new centres and to intensify their angling promotional and marketing campaigns abroad; and if he will make a statement outlining the prospects for further development of this branch of tourism.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Development.
53.
Since the first development plan was launched in 1957, tourist income from angling visitors has increased from £285,000 to an estimated £4,134,000 in 1968.
Bord Fáilte consider that there is considerable scope for continued growth of income from this source. Accordingly, the board are working with the Inland Fisheries Trust and other interests in the further development of angling as a tourist attraction. The plans provide for the development of new centres, the improvement of fishing amenities and the provision of assistance for the purchase of angling boats. Development work at home will be accompanied by intensified promotional and marketing campaigns abroad.
54.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether Bord Fáilte have any plans to further develop ethnic tourist traffic from Great Britain to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bord Fáilte regard ethnic tourist traffic from Britain as most valuable and over the years they have promoted this in a vigorous manner. Each year the board's promotional programme provides for further developing the traffic in co-operation with the carriers, travel agencies, Irish societies, religious organisations and the organisers of special events. Two years ago they appointed a full-time officer to supervise the development of the traffic. Bord Fáilte plan to continue developing this by every means at their disposal.
Is the Minister aware that according to the most recent figures, only 30 per cent of Irish born people residing in Great Britain come home for their annual holidays? Surely he will agree that, while there is one full-time officer catering for this type of traffic, there is need for the appointment of further staff?
We have not got any figures specifying the difference but we can assume that a very high percentage are Irish visitors coming back from Britain. The rise in the four years between 1964 and 1968 was from 464,000 to 635,000 visitors. That is the nature of the rise. I am not entirely satisfied with it, but it is not bad.