John Browne
Question:6 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of tourism statistics and the methods of compilation used. [14066/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
Tony Killeen
Question:7 Mr. Killeen asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of tourism statistics and the methods of compilation used. [14097/95]
David Andrews
Question:8 Mr. Andrews asked the Taoiseach his views on the accuracy of tourism statistics and the methods of compilation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 7 and 8 together.
In the absence of administrative controls on the movement of persons into and out of the State, I am satisfied with the accuracy of tourism statistics and the methods of compilation used by the Central Statistics Office.
Is the Minister aware that people in the tourism trade frequently express dissatisfaction with the figures and the method of compilation? I am sure the Minister is aware that his own party and constituency colleague raised this matter in the local press during the summer recess. It reflected in the tourism trade throughout the country. Has any effort been made, in consultation with the tourism trade, to update the methods used?
I will explain the method of compilation. As regards the Deputy's comment that my colleague, the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Deputy Kenny, has some reservations in this regard, I spoke to him today and he is satisfied with the accuracy of the figures.
The Minister should ask him again tomorrow.
The overseas tourism and travel statistics published by the Central Statistics Office are based on returns from transport companies which give the total passenger movement by route of travel; the country of residence survey which is used to estimate the distribution by country of residence of each route — the survey covered 142,000 inward and 150,000 outward passengers in 1994; and the passenger card inquiry which is used to estimate for various areas of residence the reason for the journey, the length of stay, expenditure and fare costs. This survey covered 114,000 inward and 162,000 outward passengers in 1994. The three sources are combined to provide quarterly and annual estimates of the number of visits to Ireland by persons who are usually resident overseas.
It is worth noting that Irish residents returning from visits abroad and the number of visits abroad by Irish residents are excluded. Information is provided on reason for journey, length of stay and related expenditure for both categories. It should be noted that the respondent selects from four way classification for reason for journey which distinguishes business, tourist, visit to relatives and other reasons.
Can the Minister give the House a breakdown of the increased numbers of tourists into each region over the past year? There is definite proof that the south west, particularly counties Cork and Kerry, have not been getting their market share of those increased numbers.
I compliment Deputy O'Leary on his quiet plug for tourism in Kerry. I do not have those figures but I will obtain them for him. He will be aware that normally these figures are compiled by the regional tourist boards.
What mechanism is deployed to measure cross-Border tourism, bearing in mind that many tourists begin their holiday in Northern Ireland and travel unchecked into the Republic?
This matter is being examined to ascertain the accuracy of such statistics. As soon as I have some information in relation to the precision with which this measurement is carried out, I will communicate with the Deputy.
Has there been co-ordination with the Northern Ireland Tourist Office to ascertain their statistics on the numbers of tourists originating there who travel south?
Since the tourist season is just ending, that matter is being checked. When completed, I will communicate with the Deputy.
In the interests of accuracy, it was the Minister of State's backbench colleague to whom I referred about reservations in relation to the relevant figures, as no doubt he suspected. Does the Minister have any plans to have such figures made available more rapidly, enabling the relevant Minister to respond?
These figures are compiled on the basis of a "country of residence" survey through the passenger-card inquiry which, while not of itself complete, has improved over the years. In terms of the "country of residence" survey, one is talking about 142,000 inward and 150,000 outward and, in terms of the passenger-card inquiry, of approximately 114,000 and 162,000 respectively. Therefore the Department is quite satisfied that it is quite an accurate survey. The figures about which we are talking are for 1994. This year's figures will be compiled in due course, so we are not in arrears.