asked the Minister for Transport and Power what plans, if any, Bord Fáilte have for developing the ethnic tourist market in Britain; and the amount of money allocated for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Development.
35.
Mr. O'Donnell
The development of ethnic traffic has always formed an important part of Bord Fáilte promotional work. As soon as marketing intelligence showed a reluctance on the part of some British tourists to come to Ireland for holidays this year, the board stepped up considerably their promotional activities among Irish people in Britain and have been concentrating to a much greater extent on expanding the volume of ethnic traffic.
The board are at present conducting a special campaign in Britain aimed at people with Irish associations. The campaign includes advertising on an extensive scale in the ethnic press and visits by marketing groups to Irish organisations. Some 250 special promotions have been arranged for the period January to March, 1972, and 100 trade representatives from Ireland are participating in them. In addition, Bord Fáilte are at present drawing up plans for a promotional tour of Britain by a group of staff from the board's head office and the eight regional tourism organisations for the specific purpose of attracting groups and individuals to spend their holidays in Ireland this year.
The board are spending £182,000 on marketing in Britain in the period January-March, 1972. The board's expenditure is being supplemented by the carriers and other tourist interests.
Mr. O'Donnell
While I welcome the evidence that Bord Fáilte are paying particular attention to this matter, have they yet devised a special holiday package to cater for Irish people in Britain who form the vast majority of our ethnic tourist traffic to Ireland? Have they devised a package holiday to cater for Irish workers and their families who come home and stay with relatives and friends?
This is part of the scheme I have been talking about.
Mr. O'Donnell
Excluding accommodation?
Yes.
Have the board taken any steps in this country to dissuade people from going abroad for their holidays?
That is a separate question, but we have started a campaign to persuade people to spend their holiday at home. It was inaugurated some months ago.
How much money has been allocated to it?
I can give the Deputy details later. The "Discover Ireland" campaign was launched last autumn.
Mr. O'Donnell
I suggest to Bord Fáilte that a very good way to sell these package holidays to Irish people in Britain would be by way of advertising in the provincial press.
Local newspapers in both Britain and Ireland are being used.
Will the Minister say if he has considered a suggestion made by me that there might be a limit put on the foreign currency people will be permitted to take out of the country?
That has nothing to do with this question.
It has a lot to do with the question.
I would not rule it out but there are a lot of complications.
36.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power what steps, if any, he has taken to coordinate the advertising, marketing and promotional policies of the various State-sponsored bodies involved in tourism; and what results have been achieved.
I meet the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department from time to time to discuss policy and related matters. Officers of my Department are in daily contact with the State-sponsored bodies and through them and the bodies themselves I keep fully up-to-date on their activities. In so far as coordination of advertising, marketing and promotional policies is concerned, the State-sponsored bodies are of necessity in close contact with each other to ensure rationalisation and coordination. All these bodies are represented on three joint committees covering publicity, sales and print which integrate the activities in these fields of their parent bodies. The branch offices in Britain, USA and Germany have a parallel publicity operation and co-operate very closely, even to the extent of putting staff and accommodation at each other's disposal for promotional activities. In addition, there is close co-operation between the bodies in bringing foreign publicists to Ireland.
I am fully satisfied that the State-sponsored bodies engaged in tourism co-operate to the maximum extent and that through this co-operation Irish tourism has benefited considerably.
Mr. O'Donnell
In the light of what he has said, is the Minister personally satisfied and can he give an assurance that these State bodies will avoid any unreasonable competition with one another, that they will co-operate with rather than hinder private enterprise in the promotion of tourism abroad?
This is being done. Following representations made by Deputy O'Donnell I had the matter looked into and I am satisfied the maximum is being done in this direction.
Mr. O'Donnell
Will the Minister himself keep in touch with it?
I will. I am keeping the Deputy's point in mind.