Vol. 452 No. 6
20 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he has introduced to ensure the maintenance of the highest standards of accommodation and services in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8386/95]
As I have already stated publicly I am pressing ahead with the implementation of the findings of the Arthur D. Little Review of Bord Fáilte. These envisage, among other things, the registration and grading functions being subcontracted to a third party inspector while maintaining the Bord Fáilte brand. The product approvals function or awarding of shamrocks will, in future be undertaken by industry associations formally recognised by Bord Fáilte.
In both cases Bord Fáilte will continue to be directly involved in determining the standards to be applied. They will retain responsibility for setting the standards for registration with the consent of the Minister for Tourism and Trade as provided for under the provisions of the Tourist Traffic Acts. In the case of approvals any changes in standards will be subject to agreement with Bord Fáilte.
22 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the discussions, if any, entered into by the Minister of State at his Department with national and regional tourism organisations to motivate people to holiday at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/95]
In addition to his other responsibilities, the Minister of State at my Department has responsibility for domestic tourism marketing. In this connection he has, since his appointment, had a number of discussions with Bord Fáilte, Shannon Development, regional tourism managers and other tourism interests on the question of the promotion of the Irish tourism product on the domestic market. He has also raised the subject within the Tourism Council and the marketing sub-committee is to prepare a preliminary report on the future of domestic marketing for presentation to the September meeting of the council.
The Deputy will be well aware of the vital importance of domestic tourism. The revenue generated by domestic tourism amounted to £642 million or 32 per cent of total tourism revenue in 1993. Home holiday business is widely distributed throughout the country, provides the extra business that is vital to the profitability of many tourism enterprises and is a major factor in easing the seasonality problems of the industry. In addition, a recent study on the economic effect of tourism in Ireland has estimated that domestic tourism contributed 1.8 per cent to Gross National Product in 1993 and supports some 24,000 jobs.
The allocation of responsibility for domestic marketing to the Minister of State is an indication of my commitment to ensuring that the home holiday sector will continue to play an important role in the overall development of Irish tourism.
23 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has for encouraging greater voluntary registration with Bord Fáilte by tourist accommodation operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8378/95]
Registration of hotels, guesthouses, holiday hostels, youth hostels, holiday camps, motor hotels, caravan and camping sites, approved holiday cottages and holiday apartments is a statutory requirement under the provisions of the Tourist Traffic Acts, 1939-1986. I have no plans to drop or ease this requirement as I remain convinced, after the Arthur D. Little Review of Bord Fáilte, that it serves to ensure a satisfactory standard in accommodation for the benefit of the visiting tourist.
If, however, the Deputy's question relates to approved accommodation such as bed and breakfast, approval by Bord Fáilte is not a requirement to operate in this sector. It does, of course, confer significant benefits in terms of promotion by Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations at home and overseas and the opportunity to be included in tour operator's programmes. Such benefits should increase as a result of the increased focus on marketing within BFE as part of the organisation's current restructuring.
Under the new arrangements following the review of Bord Fáilte, the product approvals inspection function will, in future, be carried out by industry associations formally recognised for that purpose by BFE. I hope that this new industry involvement will, in itself, serve to encourage more accommodation providers to become part of the approved accommodation bank.
