Conor Lenihan
Question:815 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the figures on the level of angling tourists that this country attracts; and if he will give a breakdown for each of the years 1996 and 1997. [1576/98]
Written Answers. - Angling Tourism.
Conor Lenihan
Question:816 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the fact that between 1993 and 1995 the number of angling visitors to Ireland fell by 27,000; and his views on this issue. [1667/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 815 and 816 together.
The promotion of specialist activity holidays such as angling is an operational matter for Bord Fáilte. Details of the number and characteristics of overseas tourists who pursue such activities here are generally drawn from the board's annual survey of overseas travellers and are presented in the board's publication entitled "Perspectives on Tourism Activities".
While there was a decline in the number of visiting anglers between 1993 and 1995, I understand there was some recovery in the figures for 1996 when 170,000 visitors participated in angling. Figures for 1997 are not yet available.