Robert Molloy
Question:3 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will give details of tourism growth targets; and the funds being allocated to help achieve targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Growth Targets.
The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 sets a target for growth in incoming tourism over the period of an additional 65 per cent in tourism revenue and 38 per cent in total additional employment.
In line with these targets, the programme envisages a growth in visitor numbers from a estimated 3.3 million in 1993 to 4.02 million in 1996 and 4.85 million in 1999. Growth of 6.5 per cent per annum was, therefore, targeted in the medium term. While final results for 1994 are not yet available, it appears that the target has been substantially exceeded with final figures likely to show growth of between 10 per cent and 11 per cent over 1993.
This year, a budget of £30 million will be available to Bord Fáilte and the Tourism Promotion and Development Fund to provide for tourism development. Bord Fáilte has set a target of 9 per cent overall growth in total overseas visitor numbers in 1995.
Included in the total of £30 million is a sum of £4 million for the overseas tourism marketing initiative 1995. This is a special commercially driven initiative undertaken in co-operation with the private sectors, North and South, to market the island of Ireland as a single destination in our most important markets: Britain, France, Germany and the US. The individual targets for growth in holiday visitors in the four markets range from 11 per cent to 15 per cent.
The year ahead presents an opportunity for us to build on the success which has been achieved to date and to maximise the contribution that tourism makes to our national economy in terms of overseas revenue and employment. I look forward to working closely with Bord Fáilte and the tourism industry to ensure that the impressive performance of recent years will continue and that Irish tourism is well placed to increase its share of the world tourism market.
Will the Minister clarify whether his targets are in any way changed from those previously set by Deputy McCreevy when he was Minister for Tourism and Trade? Will the Minister be more specific as to where the improvements will be made which will help to sustain the high level of growth in the valuable tourism industry? Will he indicate whether the statement in yesterday's budget in relation to the pilot project for traditional seaside resorts is part of the strategy and, if so, explain why some of the major resorts in the country such as Salthill, which has been the premier tourist resort for many years and now urgently in need of refurbishment and investment, were excluded?
I am not sure of the figure set by my predecessor in terms of tourist growth numbers but Bord Fáilte has set down its target of a 9 per cent overall growth between now and the end of 1995. I will certainly give the Deputy the figure determined by my predecessor. The administrative and general expenses of Bord Fáilte are dealt with under the headings of pay, administrative costs, advertising, printed publicity, subvention to the regional tourism organisations, and product development. The overall budget for 1995 is £30.15 million which is slightly in excess of last year's budget. The targets are to generate foreign exchange earnings of £2.250 billion by 1995, to create 35,000 jobs within the industry, to increase off-peak business by 75 per cent of total visitors by 1999, and improve the general quality of service in the Irish tourism product. Details of the pilot scheme announced in the budget will be worked out between officials of my Department and the Department of Finance in the coming weeks. One could have a substantial list of seaside tourist areas and other traditional areas that have become run down and are in need of incentives and renewal. If the pilot scheme is successful, consideration can be given to the inclusion of other areas. I am aware of the concerns of Deputy Molloy which have also been expressed by other Deputies. I hope the communities within the chosen pilot areas will grasp the opportunity presented to them.
I am astonished by the Minister's reply. Perhaps I would understand it better if the Minister would state the criteria by which the selection was made. With due respect to the thriving Mayo town of Westport, I fail to see how it comes into the category of a small seaside tourist resort alongside the others that the Minister has mentioned. Surely the Minister recognises that the tourism industry has been based in the Salthill area of Galway for many decades. It is an important part of the economy and local tourism development interests have taken an initiative to draw up a development plan for Salthill using money they put up with the support of other organisations. One of the things clearly identified is the need for some tax incentive to attract the level of investment needed to refurbish the tourism product in that resort.
The Deputy is embarking upon a speech.
Will the Minister agree to consider adding Salthill to the list?
The question is not specifically related to the announcement in the budget. I cannot give details of the scheme to the House today because they have not been finalised between my Department and the Department of Finance.
What are the criteria?
The general criteria chosen related to small traditional seaside resorts which have become run down and are in need of incentives for improvement and renewal. Westport is not an inclusive town in its own right but is divided into segments. It is true that Salthill is one of a number of important traditional seaside resorts but there are others that are very much worse off than Salthill — I do not use that as a general criterion. I will be happy to talk to Deputy Molly again when we work out how the pilot scheme is to operate.
Will the Minister agree to meet with a deputation from Salthill to discuss this issue?
If I give such an undertaking I will be inundated with requests. I receive deputations on an ongoing basis to discuss development plans, etc. I am quite sure Deputy Molloy will vociferously make a case on behalf of Salthill.
Is the Minister refusing to meet us?
I am not refusing.
Is the Minister agreeing to meet us?
I will not be put on the spot and give consent in this House any more than the Deputy would if he were sitting here.
I would be open about it.
This should not give rise to argument now.
I will be willing to discuss the development plan for Salthill in due course with members of the committee.
While the time available to us for dealing with Priority Questions is exhausted, I can take Question No. 4 in ordinary time.