Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Domestic Tourism.

Joe Walsh

Question:

45 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to increase the domestic tourism market; and the discussions, if any, he has had with Bord Fáilte to increase funding to encourage stay-in-Ireland holidays. [4317/96]

Máirín Quill

Question:

53 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the steps, if any, that have been taken to implement the proposals of the marketing sub-committee of the Tourism Council for the development of domestic tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4343/96]

Robert Molloy

Question:

56 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has received the domestic tourism paper prepared by a sub-committee of the Tourism Council; if so, the action, if any, he proposes to take regarding the recommendations contained therein; if he will make a copy of this paper available to Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statment on the matter. [4351/96]

David Andrews

Question:

227 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will increase funding to boost the domestic tourism market, particularly since 60 per cent of domestic holidays are taken in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 53, 56 and 227 together. As indicated in reply to Dáil question on 24 January 1996, the report of the Marketing Sub-Committee of the Tourism Council has been under consideration by me.

I am pleased to be able to inform the House on Thursday 22 January I announced that I had secured Government agreement to the allocation of up to £500,000 towards the cost of implementing a new initiative, with co-financing from the industry, to encourage greater marketing by the industry of home holidays, particularly in the off-peak and shoulder season.

I will chair a group of representatives from the tourism industry, the relevent agencies and the Department of Tourism and Trade to develop the initiative. The group will consider the recommendations of the Tourism Council report and will concentrate, in particular, on initiatives with a more long-term perspective, capable of country wide application, rather thanad hoc smaller measures with more limited impact.

Since its establishment, it has been the practice to regard papers produced for the Tourism Council as confidential to that body. However, I wish to confirm that among the issues raised in their domestic tourism report and now to be considered by this group are: achieving greater co-ordination of current domestic advertising activity; maximising the use of TV and radio programming to highlight the constantly expanding range of interesting and exciting holiday opportunities coming on stream right across the country; a revitalisation of the "Discover Ireland" brand in conjunction with the recent outsourcing of publication from Bord Fáilte, and research to more accurately define market potential and consumer requirements for the product.

I want this initiative to proceed in partnership with the tourism industry. The funds which will be available for suitable initiatives are additional to Bord Fáilte's normal allocation and I want to see the industry respond to this initiative and working with my group, to invest more in promoting home holidays.