asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his Department have any contingency plans to help the tourist industry regain the loss in the numbers of tourists, particularly from Britain, suffered in 1971.
13.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry.
12.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the likely prospects for the tourist industry in 1972; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
Official estimates of tourist traffic in 1971 will not be available until later this year. Preliminary estimates prepared by Bord Fáilte show that, while the number of visitors last year was about the same as for 1970, tourist revenue increased from £99.1 million to £104 million at current prices. In the case of Britain, the board's estimates show that traffic in 1971 increased by 0.9 per cent on 1970 and revenue by £1 million to £32.8 million.
The effects of the political unrest in Northern Ireland are expected to continue to influence tourist traffic levels during 1972. In their efforts to counteract the effects of these influences Bord Fáilte have revised their budget to provide additional funds for marketing and promotional work. The board are carrying out an intensive sales campaign directed towards the travel agents in each of the main market areas. Greater emphasis is being placed on the development of ethnic traffic and on the encouragement of home holidays. There are prospects of increased revenue from the North American and continental markets.
In the case of Britain, Bord Fáilte are mounting their biggest publicity campaign to date. The board are spending about £100,000 on advertising there and this is being supplemented by £50,000 from carriers participating in joint advertising. In addition, carriers and other tourist organisations are carrying out their own advertising and promotional campaigns. The advertising is being backed up by a heavy programme of promotions and sales drives involving co-operation between Bord Fáilte and the industry with the participation of 100 trade representatives. Travel agents and journalists will be brought on sponsored visits to Ireland as a back-up to the general promotional activities.
While I hope that the promotional and marketing campaigns of Bord Fáilte and the other tourist interests will bring about an increase in traffic and revenue in 1972 it would not be possible at this stage to make a meaningful forecast of the prospects of tourism for the year.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that already £60,000 of the £100,000 allocated to advertising has been spent to date? Is the Minister aware that the number of inquiries to date in comparison with those in the corresponding period of last year show a reduction of almost 50,000? Does the Minister realise that the number of inquiries received in Britain show a reduction of 50,000? There have been 50,000 fewer people making inquiries than did so last year. Does the Minister realise that the manner in which Bord Fáilte have allocated this £60,000 has been stupid? The largest proportion has gone to advertisement in British newspapers which have been notorious for their anti-Irish attitude. Is the Minister also aware that the amount allocated towards promotion in the only market in Britain where we had any hope—the ethnic market— is ridiculously low? There is £40,000 to be spent still. Will the Minister ensure that it is spent properly?
I will take the Deputy up on the last point. The emphasis must be placed on the Irish ethnic market in Britain. So far as Bord Fáilte are concerned they have carte blanche from me to spend any money they deem advisable in that direction. That is the area where we can pick up the slack from other areas. Bord Fáilte are aware of my attitude. The Deputies can be assured that there will be no shortage of money in so far as the Irish ethnic market is concerned. The idea is to get down to the roots of the Irish clubs.
Mr. O'Donnell
For the past three years Bord Fáilte had an officer specially allocated to do liaison work with the Irish clubs. This man has been taken off this work for the past three months and has been sent as manager to Glasgow. At the moment Bord Fáilte have not got a marketing manager for this work.
That is wrong.
The air fares between Ireland and Britain are the cause of much of the trouble.
That is another point.
Bord Fáilte are finding terrific resistance facing them at the present time. Taking into consideration the replies received, the coming season may be a disastrous one. The Minister talked about political unrest in Northern Ireland having a bad effect on tourism. Would the Minister not agree that the spate of anti-British propaganda by members of his own party is not any help?
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister aware that a Senator of his own party said in the Seanad that he would shed no tears over the mutilation or shooting of a British soldier? Such sentiments are also having a bad effect on our tourism.
We should not make a political football of this very serious matter.
The Minister's party is playing political football. The Taoiseach is saying one thing here and Senators and county councillors throughout the country are on a different line altogether, and the Minister will also agree——
The Deputy must allow questions to proceed.
——that the fact that Ministers have been accused of bringing arms into this country is having a disastrous effect on tourism. Why should the Government throw the blame for their own actions on to somebody else?
People in Ireland and abroad regard this Dáil as a responsible Parliament and the Deputy's contribution just now does not help.
Have half the Cabinet resigned?
An African tourist said to me: "When your own Government are bringing in arms to shoot fellow-Irishmen——"
(Interruptions.)