Vol. 445 No. 6
76 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amount of the £0.5 million reserve for tourism promotion in 1994 spent to date; and if he will give details of each project funded and the amount in each case. [708/94]
During my supplementary estimate speech in the Dáil in February this year I mentioned that I had reserved a figure of £0.5 million to enable me take on board good proposals coming from the Tourism Council.
A number of excellent proposals to overcome the problem of seasonality in the industry were submitted to me by the Tourism Council. I subsequently launched an Autumn Seasonality Campaign in a joint effort with the tourist industry.
The campaign markets Ireland as a destination for short breaks and shopping trips and will build on the proven successful campaigns which have been running already in the Spring Seasonality Campaign.
Britain and mainland Europe have been targeted and the programme is expected to attract an additional 25,000 visitors.
The campaign will also bring 80 of the top decision-makers among European incentive travel organisers to Ireland. Incentive travel which is developing in Europe, especially in Germany, offers solid potential for season extension. In addition, Ireland is being marketed as a location for British Corporate Conferences and meetings which have potential to generate high spending visitors. A direct mail initiative aimed at attracting high spending visitors from the UK to attend leading Irish Festivals is also being supported.
Further proposals covered by this fund include:
(i) the production and widespread distribution of an attractive booklet by Office of Public Works detailing its heritage attractions.
(ii) the commissioning of research on developing a Brand Image for Irish tourism.
The campaign is well advanced and all the moneys are committed. The total campaign will prove a major boost for the industry, especially in the off-season.
78 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total amounts spent in the promotion of tourism in each of the past three years; the total number of tourists attracted to the country on foot of such promotion; the amount spent by tourists in the same period; if such figures compare favourably with expenditure and projections for the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [620/94]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement which I propose to have circulated in the Official Report.
Figures for the first six months of 1994 of overseas visitors are up 9 per cent on the same period in 1993.
The Government's new initiatives for marketing and promoting Ireland are undoubtedly contributing to improved performance and growth in tourist numbers during 1994. Present indications are that Bord Fáilte's target of 3.5 million will be exceeded.
|
Expenditure by Bord Fáilte on Promotion |
EU OP Programme |
Interreg |
Number of Overseas Visitors |
Expenditure by Overseas Visitors to Ireland |
|
|
£ Million |
£ Million |
£ Million |
Million |
£ Billion |
|
|
1991 |
21.37 |
5.5 |
2.997 |
1.213 |
|
|
1992 |
21.5 |
4.4 |
0.08 |
3.128 |
1.229 |
|
1993 |
22.0 |
6.0 |
0.179 |
3.330 |
1.367 |
|
1994 |
£22.5 (E) and £8 million Tourism Promotion and Development Fund |
5.0 (E) |
0.640 (E) |
3.525 (E) |
(January-March £0.206 billion) |
