Tony Killeen
Question:93 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the value of TEFL courses to Irish tourism annually; the plans, if any, he has to expand this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9463/97]
Written Answers. - TEFL Courses.
I am assuming that the Deputy's question refers to the value to Irish tourism of overseas students who come here specifically to study English as a foreign language.
Bord Fáilte estimate that some 113,000 English language students, aged 16 years and over visited Ireland in 1996. This represents an increase of 9,000 or 9 per cent on 1995. Bord Fáilte also estimate that this sector contributed over £113 million to Irish tourism last year and that further growth is expected in 1997.
The importance of this sector to the tourism market has long been recognised, most recently in the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-99, in which specific provision was made for investment in additional language learning facilities as well as for co-operative marketing of Ireland internationally as a centre for learning English.
In order to improve the impact of individual English language schools in the international market, I understand that a group marketing initiative, entitled Marketing English in Ireland, has been established with the support of Bord Fáilte and funding from the Tourism Operational Programme. The objective of this initiative is to encourage individual product suppliers to co-operate in marketing their business abroad. At present, there are 48 language schools participating in this initiative.
While Spain, France and Italy remain the traditional sources of business for the sector, this group marketing initiative is attempting to reduce its dependence on these markets by developing new and emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, the Far East and South America.