asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has noted the reported statement by a director of the Eastern Regional Tourist Development Organisation that many tourists could not spend all their money due to the absence of suitable souvenirs and acceptable entertainment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry.
13.
I have consulted Bord Fáilte about the reported statement referred to by the Deputy. On the question of spending on goods the board have pointed out that very substantial revenue arises from visitor purchases —which include purely souvenir items —the estimated revenue in 1975 being in excess of £32 million. For some time now, Bord Fáilte have concentrated their efforts on securing the availability of a wider range of better quality goods and there is considerable evidence to suggest that progress has been made in this area and that visitor satisfaction has improved greatly. During the period immediately ahead, the board's efforts will include the provision of advisory services to producers and retailers as well as a programme of consumer and market research to establish more closely what the visitor wants.
On the question of entertainment, it is true that Ireland does not offer expensive, sophisticated night club entertainment, casinos, and so on, which are to be found in most of the European cities. It is not a feature of Irish life, and from surveys made of visitor reactions, Bord Fáilte have found that it is not something that they expect to find here. Lack of sufficient evening entertainment of a high quality, particularly in resorts with a high visitor population in summer months and a sparse local community during the remainder of the year, has been a problem. A number of schemes aimed specifically at overcoming this lack have been encouraged and assisted by Bord Fáilte in recent years and the recently published tourism development plan allows for accelerated growth in this area. None of the entertainment schemes encouraged by Bord Fáilte is expensive and all are designed to facilitate family groups as well as individuals.
I should add that the complaint that tourists are returning home with money in their pockets is a refreshing change from the complaints sometimes made that Ireland is being priced out of the tourism market.