Jimmy Deenihan
Question:20 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will continue with the domestic tourism marketing initiative into 1999 and beyond. [20365/98]
Other Questions. - Tourism Marketing Initiative.
Deirdre Clune
Question:25 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will continue with the domestic tourism marketing initiative into 1999 and beyond. [20364/98]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:32 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will continue with the domestic tourism marketing initiative into 1999 and beyond. [20363/98]
David Stanton
Question:40 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will continue with the domestic tourism marketing initiative into 1999 and beyond. [20362/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 25, 32 and 40 together.
Last year, as part of a refocusing of the domestic tourism marketing initiative to have greater emphasis on the regional spread of tourism and continuing emphasis on extending the season, I renamed the initiative, the Regional Tourism Marketing Initiative. The recent management reorganisation of Bord Fáilte by the new chief executive has recognised the importance of the Irish market. Domestic tourism which is inextricably linked with regional tourism has been highlighted for special attention and focus.
The autumn campaign of the 1998 regional tourism marketing initiative is under way. When the autumn campaign has been completed, I will consult with Bord Fáilte and the industry to assess the effectiveness of the spring and autumn campaigns. Following these discussions I will make a decision on whether to provide funding for a 1999 regional tourism marketing initiative in light of the 1999 Estimates.
I am concerned the Minister is raising an uncertainty about the continuation of what he is now terming the regional tourism marketing initiative rather than the domestic tourism marketing initiative. Surely, at a time when the figures indicate a serious regional imbalance in tourism growth, priority should be given to the development of the regional tourism marketing initiative.
Are the resources allocated by the Department ringfenced to ensure the moneys allocated to Bord Fáilte are spent directly on the programme for which they are intended? What marketing personnel are directly allocated by Bord Fáilte to this initiative?
The domestic tourism market is very important, particularly to specific areas of the country. Deputies are aware that most Irish people can afford to take a foreign holiday and, given the adverse weather conditions we experienced over the past two years, many people have done that.
However, I am delighted to see other initiatives being taken by the regional tourism authorities, particularly in certain counties, such as my county of Donegal and Deputy Perry's county of Sligo and also in Galway and Cavan. When one is travelling by car or listening to the radio one is aware of the marketing by these counties.
The domestic tourism market is the life blood of many areas and I intend to do all I can to ensure we get as much as we can in the next budget so that we can continue with the regional tourism marketing initiative. This initiative was very successful last year and was the first time the regional tourism authorities received any funding for marketing. We will assess how they spent that money and that assessment will determine whether we implement a similar initiative next year.
Does the Minister have any specific plans to target the market of 1.5 million people living in Northern Ireland? Inviting private hoteliers into a joint marketing venture to promote domestic tourism could help the budget. It will be very important after 1999 to market domestic tourism.
Many people now take second holidays or spend weekends in hotels in the off season. Does the Minister have any plans to promote these new tourism market areas? The recognised areas——
The Deputy must ask a question.
Does the Minister have any plans to promote new tourism destinations in this country which have come to light in the past two to three years?
I do not know what we would have done in Deputy Perry's and my part of the country without the people of Northern Ireland in recent years. They got an excellent reception in the Republic and tended to be repeat visitors. We must continue to focus on the market in Northern Ireland.
The Deputy is correct in saying we should tap into the weekend market, which I am sure his initiative in Sligo intends to do. Dublin benefited tremendously from the weekend short break market and I do not see any reason other areas could not target that market, either in the domestic framework or in countries such as the UK and France. Some hotels are already marketing themselves in this area and are doing so very successfully.
I have already commended the Minister on his initiative to develop tourism in the regions. Has he had any feedback from the regions on the success of that initiative and the provision of extra capital or how the money was used? I welcome his assurance that he will repeat that initiative and perhaps improve on the figure in this year's budget.
Before the Minister replies, a number of Deputies are offering and I propose to call Deputies Belton and Allen first.
The county tourism committees have provided a great service. They work in a voluntary capacity and include many people involved in tourism, such as hoteliers and B&B owners, but they receive no assistance from the State. Will the Minister provide some funding for those committees because they are the answer to many of the problems which have been raised here today?
The key roles of Bord Fáilte and Northern Ireland in the regional tourism marketing initiative have been mentioned. The Minister has indicated that policy decisions will be made in the months ahead. Has the location of Bord Fáilte on the island been decided?
In reply to Deputy Ferris, I have had feedback from the regional tourism committees, which I can make available to the Deputy if he wishes. They have done an exceptional job with their portion of the £5 million I made available for marketing. I have also asked for feedback on how the rest of that money was spent in the European markets, but have not had the same response.
In regard to the funding of the county tourism committees, this is the first year I have funded the regional tourism authorities. I had hoped we could do that specific type of marketing within the regions.
In regard to whether one should fund county tourism committees, I would prefer to see being developed the initiatives which have been adopted by counties such as Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Tipperary in conjunction with the local authorities, local community groups and Leader groups. The private and public sectors should come together in this because everyone — the traveller, the tailor, the soldier, the sailor, the baker, the candlestick maker, the doctor, the sergeant and the clergyman — benefits from tourism. Unfortunately, however, very few are doing this. These initiatives, which began at county level, have been extremely welcome and will pay off for those who are engaging in marketing. It has been shown that those who are marketing their product are winning. I applaud those counties which have moved in that direction.
Is there anything more than applause available?
We will move onto Question No. 21.
What about my question?
Did the Deputy ask about the regional tourism marketing initiative in the North?
I asked about the rumours concerning the decision on Bord Fáilte.
The matter of Bord Fáilte and the Northern talks is ongoing and certainly no decision has been taken.
What about Bord Fáilte moving to Belfast?
I have not heard that particular suggestion. It is a matter for the talks.
The Minister is not ruling it out.