Vol. 445 No. 6
61 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the warning from the Irish Hotels Federation of the dangers of uncontrolled growth in the number of tourists visiting Ireland; and, if so, the action, if any, he proposes to take in response to this warning. [700/94]
87 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fears expressed by the outgoing President of the Irish Hotels Federation that the attraction of Ireland for visitors could be threatened by the uncontrolled growth in tourism; the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that growth in tourist numbers does not pose this threat, particularly by promoting off-peak tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 87 together.
High on the list of visitor attractions to this country, are the personal nature of the welcome extended to our visitors, and the unspoilt, uncrowded open spaces.
My intention is to develop a sustainable tourism industry which will preserve these attributes. In doing this the policy focus will be on two areas; enhanced promotion of tourism throughout the country in the hitherto little frequented tourist destinations; and a determined effort to develop off-peak business. Earlier this year I announced a special seasonality marketing initiative involving Bord Fáilte and the industry with a total budget of £1.5 million — £800,000 of which is the State contribution and £700,000 from the industry. I have now announced a second campaign for the autumn of this year and early 1995. This again is a joint marketing effort with the industry with the State contributing almost £500,000 and matching funds coming from the industry.
Activities in the product development area to broaden and extend the spread of tourists throughout the country include: the development of canals, inland waterways and angling facilities, further development of heritage towns and a new programme to restore heritage gardens.
Another important contribution to lucrative off-season business will be the promotion of Ireland as a major international conference centre, particularly in the light of the Government's proposals in the National Development Plan for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, convention centre here.
63 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the major obstacles to growth in the tourism industry; the steps, if any, he proposes to take to overcome or remove these obstacles; and the changes, if any, he will introduce to achieve satisfactory growth in the tourism industry. [699/94]
The National Development Plan 1994-99 identifies weaknesses that exist in the tourism industry; a growing but, in international terms, still relatively low, level of marketing activity resulting in serious under-utilisation of tourism plant, especially outside the peak periods; the tourism industry remains highly seasonal — 30 per cent of visitors to Ireland arrived in the peak July/August period in 1993; less than adequate competitive, reliable and regular access links to our existing markets; critical gaps in tourism product and in tourist activities; a need for expanded training investment to continue to raise quality and service throughout the industry; and a continuing need to improve the cost competitiveness of Irish holidays.
The Operational Programme which I have just launched seeks to address these weaknesses by concentrating on a large expansion in marketing activities, with a particular emphasis on off-season business; further product development to meet specific market deficiencies; major improvements in the conference, angling and culture and heritage product, and an expansion in the range and scale of training in order to cater for anticipated employment growth, to improve the quality of service to visitors and to help the industry adapt to Ireland's changing tourism market.
