Vol. 502 No. 2
13 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position in relation to the proposal to introduce a tax on tourists; his views on whether it will encourage tourists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7298/99]
As I have already indicated in reply to earlier parliamentary questions on this subject, I share the objective of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) of ensuring that a marketing fund for Irish tourism will be in place for the new millennium. Ireland's performance in a growing but hugely competitive international marketplace has been excellent over the past decade with ambitious targets for foreign earnings and for visitor numbers consistently being achieved. I consider that a marketing fund is essential to maintain and increase visitor numbers.
Given the uncertainty over and timing of decisions on future EU funding, the introduction of a modest visitor levy, in line with practice in many other countries, is one of the options being considered by my Department, in consultation with ITIC, as a possible mechanism to contribute to the future financing of tourism marketing.
