Vol. 366 No. 2
asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the crisis situation that now exists in the Irish hotel industry as a result of the serious loss of the American market due to massive cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
40.
asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry considering the effects that world security is having on out of State tourism and, in particular, the effect it is having on the United State market, if he will state the steps he proposes taking to make Ireland a more attractive tourist location for the 1986 season and to market Ireland in new international markets so as to compensate for any loss of revenue from established markets.
I propose to take Question No 31 and priority question No. 40 together.
I recognise that the security problems on the Continent will have serious consequences for US travel to Europe this year and that Irish tourism will be affected to some extent by the reluctance of Americans to travel. It is also evident that hotels specialising in group package business from North America are particularly vulnerable at this stage. I do not, however, consider that this represents a crisis situation for the hotel industry and I confidently expect that Ireland as a tourism destination will perform considerably better than other European countries in so far as American business is concerned.
In order to minimise the effects of the European security problem on our US tourist traffic, Bord Fáilte are undertaking a major drive to promote Ireland as an alternative destination for Americans fearful of travelling to Continental Europe. Over the next couple of weeks the board, with the support of the Irish industry and American-based tour operators, will mount a concerted sales and public relations drive in North America. The Minister will be participating in this effort and I am confident that through this very positive action the effects on our tourism resulting from American attitudes to Europe will be minimal.
The Minister's remarks are incredible when he suggests that this international terrorism and security problem will have a minimal effect on our hotel industry. Is the Minister aware that cancellations range from 25 per cent in the Leinster area up to 50 per cent in the south west due to the effects of the Libyan situation and international terrorism? Will he give details of how Bord Fáilte intend to spend the £600,000?
I do not accept that it is a major crisis. I accept that there have been cancellations of tour package arrangements but with careful promotional marketing we can recover a substantial proportion of the American business.
The promotion in which Bord Fáilte will engage will involve the hotel and tourism sectors and the air companies. I should like to compliment them on their expeditious and professional response to Bord Fáilte's call to join in a massive promotional campaign in America. It will involve over 60 people drawn from Bord Fáilte, other State tourism organisations, American-based tour operators who specialise in Irish business and the sales personnel of a number of Irish commercial tourism companies who have experience of working in the American tourism market. During an intensive two-week period, over 4,000 travel agents in a dozen major American cities will be visited by someone from Ireland with a strong sales message. In addition, the campaign incorporates increased advertising, increased publicity and public relations among the American media at local level and direct mail sales contact with previous inquirers.
American travel to Europe has been seriously affected, due mainly to the fears raised in the minds of potential tourists as a result of acts of terrorism and by the confrontation between America and Libya. There is evidence that Ireland as a destination is not seen in the same negative light as the Mediterranean countries. Nevertheless, any decline in overall travel to Europe will obviously affect us. Understandably the focus of public attention has been on the cancellations which have been reported. It must be borne in mind, however, that many people are still coming to Ireland, that bookings are still being received and that there are still many people in America who want to come to Europe but who need reassurance and encouragement and may yet change their plans and come to an alternative European destination, namely, Ireland. I am delighted with the industry's response to this challenge, the details of which——
Will the Chair stop the Minister of State sometime so that I can ask a question.
That will not be possible since Question Time is over.
I should like to add for Deputy Flynn's information that we are very fortunate that two prestigious American lines have shown confidence in Irish tourism by opening up new lines of traffic and new areas of America.
That concludes Question Time.
