Brian O'Shea
Question:141 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the specific proposals he has to overhaul Ireland's tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17016/00]
Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.
An Action Programme for the Millennium together with the review of that programme published in November 1999, contains the main objectives and priorities which have been set by the Government for the development of the tourism sector. I am satisfied that progress is being made in line with the commitments made.
The objectives and strategies being pursued by my Department for the development of tourism are contained in the Statement of Strategy 1998-2001 published by my Department in May 1998, copies of which have already been circulated to Deputies.
The national development plan, covering the period 2000-06, was published in November 1999. The plan sets out a range of specific proposals for the development of tourism and confirms a public investment package in excess of £350 million for tourism marketing, human resource development and product development.
The package includes the creation of a multi-annual tourism marketing fund of £150 million over the life of the plan. In April 2000, a new tourism marketing partnership was agreed: this involves representatives of the tourism industry and Bord Fáilte working together to develop strategies for the totality of their combined annual marketing expenditure.
Overseas visitor numbers reached a new all time high of six million in 1999, which was also a record year for tourism revenue, with foreign earnings expected to grow to £2.5 billion. The number of jobs supported by tourism increased to 135,000 in 1999 and tourism now accounts for one in 12 of the workforce.