Tourism was the first economic sector to be examined by the Anglo-Irish Conference when Richard Needham M.P., Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy and I briefed the conference on cross-Border tourism co-operation last July.
Mr. Needham and I have since discussed the potential for closer co-operation and we both agree that future co-operation should concentrate on jointly exploiting new markets based on common tourism strengths, to the mutual benefit of both economies.
Arising out of our discussions, Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board have since agreed and begun addressing the implementation of a series of initiatives focusing on the generation of incremental business through the promotion of special products and activities; a marketing drive in specific segments of main overseas markets; joint market research; increased co-operation at industry level in the Ireland market and extended reciprocal customer services.
These will build on previous ongoing arrangements between the two agencies in the area of joint marketing and on special projects which they are involved in under the aegis of the International Fund for Ireland, namely an all-Ireland Marketing Project, an all-Ireland Computerised Information and Reservation System, and an all-Ireland Genealogy Project.
The chairmen and senior executives of both boards meet frequently to oversee progress on the full range of joint activities. In addition, staff at all levels meet to implement programmes at home and abroad, covering areas such as joint research, participation in workshops, reciprocal stocking of literature at tourist information offices in the Border areas and joint operation of the "Ireland Desk" in the British Travel Authority's Travel Centre in London.
I can assure the Deputy that notwithstanding progress to date, I will continue to monitor closely the scope, range, and potential for cross-Border co-operation where such co-operation can clearly contribute to increasing tourism into Ireland, North and South.
