Vol. 513 No. 5
26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he will take to support the marketing capabilities of small and medium sized operators in the tourist sector beginning with the bed and breakfasts in view of the commitment given in the review of an Action Programme for the Millennium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2752/00]
One of my key priorities is to ensure that the benefits of our growing tourism industry are shared throughout the regions.
With this in mind, I launched a new initiative last March, with a £300,000 budget for 1999, specifically to assist the marketing efforts of smaller accommodation providers. Bord Fáilte has responsibility for implementing the initiative and has engaged in extensive consultations with the smaller accommodation sector in developing a three tiered approach which involves assisting individual bed and breakfast operators to promote themselves; helping the representative associations to market their sector more effectively, and raising awareness of smaller accommodation among consumers and the travel trade.
With increased marketing efforts from other accommodation sectors, it is generally agreed that individual bed and breakfast owners need to play a more active role in promoting their own premises and their sector. In order to provide a forum to discuss this, and to assist providers in developing some simple methods of promotion, Bord Fáilte began a series of workshops in November 1999 that are expected to continue until May 2000.
A sum of £500,000 has been allocated to the initiative for 2000, the second year of the initiative. Among the new activities planned by Bord Fáilte for the coming year is the formation of a forum to develop suitable initiatives to support the marketing of one-star and two-star hotels. This will build on work already under way in this sector. Other sectors which will also receive attention include the caravan and camping, guesthouse, hostel and rented sectors.
