Seán Power
Question:32 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the strategy he has to promote Irish tourism in the event that growth in world tourism falls off or reverses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2499/97]
Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.
Ireland's ambitious tourism growth targets are based on the impact of active development policies in recent years, the proposed rollout of Tourism Brand Ireland, a range of promotional initiatives designed to attract more tourists and efforts to achieve a greater seasonal spread of travel plans. These measures are backed by the commitment of such as the overseas tourism marketing initiative and the marketing efforts of an increasingly maturing industry, marking the most intensive phase in recent years of promoting Ireland as a tourism destination worldwide.
Ireland is capitalising by positioning itself as a destination with a difference. The combined efforts of all players together with more effective promotional programmes are reaching a greater number of consumers and influencing their decision to take a holiday in Ireland.
This year a target of 7 per cent growth in overseas tourist numbers and 9 per cent in associated revenue is being set by Bord Fáilte. This ambitious target compares with an expected growth of 1 per cent to 3 per cent forecast by national tourism organisations throughout Europe. Ireland has consistently outperformed the average World and European performance in the past few years and I have no reason to believe that this trend will not continue.