Vol. 463 No. 8
7 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether the limited reaction among customers in key markets to the abandonment of the IRA ceasefire has continued; whether this situation is subject to ongoing monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7523/96]
9 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the implications, if any, for tourist bookings of the current impasse in the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7468/96]
12 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the cancellations, if any, there have been by British tourists following the breakdown in the peace process. [7469/96]
27 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of meetings he has had with the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland to discuss the promotion of tourism and trade on the island of Ireland and review developments since the ending of the IRA ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7487/96]
54 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his strategy regarding the negative impression that the Ulster marching season has on tourism. [7421/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 12, 27 and 54 together.
I refer Deputies to the lengthy reply I gave to Questions Nos. 17, 26, 37, 48, 50 and 224 on 27 February 1996 concerning the implications for tourism of the breakdown in the ceasefire. Monitoring since then indicates that the situation has not changed significantly from that described in my February response. We are now in the key holiday booking period and response levels to the various campaigns being operated by the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative, Bord Fáilte and others are holding up well. Bord Fáilte continues to monitor the situation within the various markets with key carriers, tour operators and product suppliers, as well as in Ireland through the regional tourism organisations. The situation will be kept under close review.
Regarding the Ulster marching season, the Deputy will understand that this is something over which I have no direct control. The only comment I would make is that overall strategy in relation to promotion and marketing will continue to be to highlight the many and varied attractions of holidaying in Ireland.
In addition to meeting the chairman and chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on many occasions, as well as industry representatives, I have met the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Baroness Denton, on several occasions recently in order to build on progress to date in the area of trade and tourism promotion on an all-Ireland basis. Most recently I met her at a joint Bord Fáilte-Northern Ireland Tourist Board workshop in London on 15 February and in New York on 11 March at the Top 100 Irish-American Awards Ceremony to honour President Clinton as US Irishman of the year. I look forward to continuing these meetings with Baroness Denton which are not only very useful from the trade and tourism promotion point of view but also provide the opportunity to review developments in all areas of mutual interest. I will join with her later this month in advancing a special joint North-South trade and investment initiative.
I wish the Minister every success in advancing the North South trade and investment initiative. On Question No. 12 which relates to the cancellations there have been by British tourists following the breakdown in the peace process, it is my information that, unfortunately, the number is considerable and that perhaps Bord Fáilte is not facing up to the reality. The figures being given to the Minister do not coincide with the figures being given to me. Can the Minister say the figures being given to me are wrong?
I am not necessarily disputing the source of the Deputy's information, but on previous occasions some of the information given to him was slightly off the mark.
No more than the information given to me from time to time. It has not been accurate either.
As of 15 April, following the Canary Wharf bomb on 9 February, there was a drop off in inquiries to Bord Fáilte's London office and among the major tour operators with programmes to Ireland. While most tour operators experienced some cancellation of bookings to Ireland, their numbers were not considered to be as bad as they might have been, given the serious and grave nature of the incident. Because of the sensitivity of the issue, the overseas tourism marketing initiative was suspended on the evening of 9 February and restarted on 28 February. Since then inquiries have recovered and are at satisfactory levels for this time of the year.
Bookings of holidays from Britain are slow to most destinations, including Ireland, due to consumer expectations of a price war among operators. Bookings for Ireland, even in a good year, are considered to be late and have a short lead in time. This pattern is also evident this year and a fuller picture will emerge towards mid-to late May as consumers make their final decisions as to where they will take their holidays this summer. The early indications suggest that Ireland should enjoy another good year in terms of numbers of British tourists.
I wish the Minister well in that regard.
