Vol. 487 No. 1
43 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will outline his proposals to improve the regional spread of tourism in the country; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of tourism operators in the traditional tourist areas regarding their future viability in the event of a decline in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3457/98]
The spread of tourism throughout the regions is a matter, in the first instance, for the regional tourism authorities who were established by Bord Fáilte, under the provisions of the Tourist Traffic Acts, to inter alia, promote and develop tourism in the regions. The available Bord Fáilte estimates on tourism revenue show that growth rates have been achieved in all regions in Ireland in recent years which are better than international and European averages. However, although all regions have shared in this growth, there have been variations in performance.
Prospects for this year are good particularly in the light of the additional resources of £8.5 million allocated by the Government for tourism marketing in last year's Supplementary Estimate and this year's budget. The focus of this additional funding is being largely directed at developing tourism throughout all the regions so as to ensure that the benefits of overall increases in tourism are spread countrywide. Bord Fáilte has devised a multi-layered approach which consists of enhancing existing programmes, introducing new regional initiatives and exploiting opportunities which are coming on stream. The intention is to have a strong regional dimension in the activities proposed and to maximise the return by integrating activity at local, regional and national levels. Details of the specific activities involved were contained in my address to the Dáil Select Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation on 11 December, 1997.
The tourism industry also has a primary role to play in promoting the development of tourism in their areas and in putting in place sound business strategies to successfully market their own areas and facilities.
