Written Answers. - Tourist Accommodation.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
20
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the estimates, if any, his Department has on the number of unapproved bed and breakfast businesses; and the plans, if any, he has to prevent an increase in these unapproved businesses or to bring them into the registered category.
[4924/00]
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
30
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
his views on the importance of encouraging bed and breakfast accommodation; the policy of the Government in this regard; and the proposals, if any, he has to encourage this sector.
[7049/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 30 together.
There are some 4,300 bed and breakfast operations which are listed in accordance with the criteria set by Bord Fáilte. Bord Fáilte has no comparable figures of similar accuracy for unlisted accommodation.
Under section 9 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1957, Bord Fáilte is empowered to publish or cause to be published lists of tourism accommodation premises, including B&B operations. However, "B&B" is not a registered title, and therefore is not a protected title under the Tourist Traffic Acts. Consequently, the system by which B&B accommodation is listed is a voluntary one. While operators who do not wish to be listed by Bord Fáilte are not prohibited from carrying on their business, they are nevertheless bound by all statutory requirements relating to accommodation providers, including in such areas as taxation, planning, fire safety, hygiene, etc.
The issue of mandatory licensing or registration of all tourist accommodation, including B&Bs, has been examined by successive administrations over the years and they have all come to the same conclusion – that any mandatory system to be effective would require a significant diversion of resources currently devoted to the development of tourism towards administration and policing. This would be particularly burdensome as many accommodation providers only operate for short periods of the year.
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the volume and range of tourist accommodation which has enhanced the choice available to tourists. This allows market forces to weed out accommodation which is not of a sufficiently high standard to meet tourist requirements. In light of developments in the supply of accommodation, I share the view of my predecessors that the introduction of a compulsory licensing system would be an inappropriate use of resources. There is no evidence to support the view that such a system would have any appreciable impact on accommodation standards over and above that brought about by market forces.
B&B operators who choose to be listed experience a number of advantages such as access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte, the Gulliver reservations service and the Tourist Information Office network. They may also participate at trade and consumer fairs, in advertising, in off-season promotions with tour operators, in trade education programmes, direct mail campaigns and publicity, etc.
The various B&B representative organisations play an important role in marketing this unique sector abroad, and increasingly in advising on how to reflect growing market expectations in the design, development and operation of the B&B product.
During 1999, I launched a new initiative which was targeted primarily at the small listed accommodation provider, under which Bord Fáilte is reviewing the branding and overseas marketing of the various groups in this category. I am confident this initiative will considerably expand the range of assistance and advice offered to the sector, thereby making listing a more attractive proposition.
