asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will indicate the latest trend in tourist bookings for the 1971 season; and the likely prospects for the season with special reference to (a) Britain, (b) Europe and (c) North America.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Bookings.
21.
Mr. O'Donnell
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that the latest market intelligence indicates an improvement on the previous report in the level of advance bookings for the 1971 season.
The indications for the season are that there will be an increase in traffic compared with 1970 and that tourist numbers should increase by 6 per cent from Britain, 2 per cent from Europe and 12 per cent from North America. I must emphasise that these figures are based on the best information available at this stage and that they will be subject to review as additional reports come to hand.
Mr. O'Donnell
Will the Minister cop on to himself? We have had this for the last six months. Is it not a fact that bookings from Britain at the present moment are down 25 per cent? I am prepared to produce evidence to indicate this. If the Minister would inquire at Bray and other east coast resorts which are dependent on British traffic he will find bookings are down 20 to 25 per cent.
The Deputy should appreciate, as I have stated, that bookings are up. The overall anticipation is, as I have mentioned, a 6 per cent increase from Britain and a 12 per cent increase from North America. A further matter on which I should like to advise the Deputy, who is I appreciate concerned to get the true facts, is that there is a strong pattern in tourism not only here but all over the world of a definite reduction in bookings as far as tourists are concerned. The growing trend is not to make bookings in advance but to book on the spot. This is making a tremendous difference to tourist patterns all over the world and makes very doubtful any assertions at this stage based on bookings alone.
That is contrary to what the British used to do.
I appreciate that used to be the case, but it is changing rapidly.
What year is the Minister basing the figures on?
On last year.
Which was the lowest in history.
I appreciate there was a reduction last year caused by factors outside our control.
(Interruptions.)
Outside our control—Ministers importing arms?
The figures I mentioned now show that the trend is, up and the graph is up both in regard to bookings and numbers.
I am calling Question No. 22.
May I ask the Minister one supplementary? Has the Minister a report from Skerries, County Dublin, that bookings are down 20 per cent?
I appreciate that at this stage in the season there are various reports coming in. This happens every year. The pattern of tourism is changing. Some areas are up dramatically; some carriers report an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in their business and so do some hotels but other hotels report a reduction. The pattern is changing but the overall figures at this stage on a conservative basis, conservative in relation to other figures I have here, suggest a 6 per cent increase from Britian and a 12 per cent increase from North America.
What is the position in the west of Ireland where they depend on tourism?
If the Deputy puts down a specific question relating to counties in the west of Ireland he will get an answer.
The Minister is dealing with tourism. He should not run away from the question.
The question relates to overall tourist bookings.
That is part of it.