Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Seasonality Programme.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

216 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, for the development of promotions, such as the Celtic Flame promotion, to include more of the country with an emphasis on areas that need such help most; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6743/97]

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

As I indicated in reply to a question on 26 November 1996, the Tourism Council considered the terms for a special seasonability programme for spring of this year. The approach taken was that the events under the programme, which is essentially a pump priming exercise to test the off-season impact of such a festival, should take place in four cities initially, namely, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

The reason for this was, as the Celtic Flame Festival is a new festival, designed to broaden the appeal of the country to visitors in the off-season leading up to St. Patrick's Day celebrations, the four locations selected were perceived by the Tourism Council to have the ability to best cope with tourists at that time of year and provide a good pilot basis for testing the concept. In particular, the availability of accommodation, the general infrastructure required by visitors and the availability of suitable venues to accommodate the expected numbers to the concerts were major considerations.

The results of this year's venture should help establish the viability of other venues participating in the festival, should it succeed in its aim of generating off-peak business, in future years.