asked the Minister for Transport and Power what plans, if any, Bord Fáilte have to counteract the downward trend in tourist bookings from Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Bookings.
13.
Mr. O'Donnell
As I have stated in reply to previous questions by the Deputy, a special promotional campaign has been undertaken by Bord Fáilte in all our main tourist markets, including Britain, with a view to attracting additional traffic in the coming season. I am informed by the board that following consultation with the National Tourism Council and having made a careful assessment of the volume of response in Britain it is clear that the maximum benefit has been derived from the campaign. Other forms of publicity and promotional work will be carried on intensively in the British market in the months ahead.
Does the Minister admit there has been a downward trend in tourist bookings from Britain?
It is very difficult to say. The whole tourist business is in a very difficult situation at the present time. We have to fight hard to hold our own.
The Minister has not answered my question: has there been a downward trend in tourist bookings from Britain?
There was a temporary difficulty because the advertising campaign was geared to the period when the British postal strike commenced. Since the end of the strike bookings have resumed their normal pattern but during the strike they were down.