Mary Coughlan
Question:33 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the supports, if any, he has put in place to help train tourism interests in marketing skills. [10727/95]
Written Answers. - Tourism Marketing Skills.
Tony Killeen
Question:174 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the supports, if any, he has put in place to help train tourism interests in marketing skills. [10943/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 174 together.
Marketing of Irish tourism products and services has been identified as a crucial area for development under the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-95. There is a range of supports available through programmes administered by CERT and by Bord Fáilte to assist tourism enterprises improve and expand their marketing skills.
CERT is generally responsible for the provision of tourism training for Irish industry. As part of its strategy to improve market competitiveness. CERT has devised a wide range of initiatives to assist Irish business develop marketing expertise, including short intensive industry-based marketing programmes, formal national certificate programmes, national seminars, and advisory and consultancy services which are provided directly to the tourism industry.
Bord Fáilte also has a significant part to play in this process. Following the ADL review of the organisation, it will now focus much of its energy and resources on marketing Ireland abroad. It will champion the emergence of a strong marketing ethos from within the sector. At a technical level, it already operates a marketing graduate scheme and a professional marketing support, consultancy, scheme, both of which are funded under the European Regional Development Funds.
Under the marketing graduate scheme Bord Fáilte sponsors the placement of marketing graduates in incoming tourism enterprises. The scheme has been running for a number of years and to date approximately 80 graduates have been placed. Under the professional consultancy scheme tourism enterprises are encouraged to enhance their marketing and sales expertise by retaining professional marketing consultants over a 12 month period to assist the enterprise put together and implement new strategic marketing plans and programmes.