Austin Deasy
Question:8 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the reasons for the reported drop in British tourists; when this reported decline commenced; and the proposals he has to reverse the trend. [26083/00]
Other Questions. - Tourism Industry.
Willie Penrose
Question:32 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by tourism interests regarding the decline in British visitors wishing to stay here for longer than four days; the steps he will take to address this issue, having regard to the importance of the British market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25960/00]
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:37 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will consider the creation of a special fund of £2.5 million per annum, for three years to address concerns in relation to the British market for Ireland as suggested by the Irish Hotels' Federation in the pre-budget submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25967/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 32 and 37 together.
I should point out that this reply is similar to a reply to a priority question which I read into the record earlier. If Deputies are agreeable, I am prepared to answer supplementary questions. I do not wish to waste their time by reading a similar reply to that of an earlier question.
For various reasons, the traditional British tourist is no longer coming to Ireland although the British market is on our doorstep. Does the Minister agree that we need to develop new tourism products to attract people to Ireland and does he have any proposals in this regard? New tourism products are required to attract people, who used to visit Ireland previously, back into the country.
I accept that the British market is very important to Ireland. The strength of sterling has certainly contributed to our problems in this regard. Recent indicators show that there was a slump in this area for a certain period last year but that the situation has since improved. The feedback from people in the industry who attended the recent World Trade Fair indicates that 2000 has been the best year yet in terms of the British market. We still have a lot to offer this market.
I agree that the future of the industry lies in the provision of new tourism products. The national development plan includes an allocation of £100 million for product development – £60 million for the S&E region and £40 million for the BMW region. Quite a large proportion of this funding will be directed towards the provision of major attractions in these areas, particularly areas which have not reaped the benefits of tourism development. I envisage that the money will be spent on major attractions or clusters of attractions which will result in visitors coming to these regions.
What has been achieved under the national development plan to date? The plan is referred to all the time but I would be concerned to see proof on the ground that something is actually happening.
The Minister stated that sterling was acting as a hindrance to us but it should be seen as a benefit in that people from Northern Ireland and the UK are gaining 25% on exchange rates. It is very discouraging to hear that this has not been of any benefit to date. The Minister also referred to the excellent reports from the trade fair. How many promoters from the north-west and Border regions would not concur with that opinion? People who have major vested interests in the region have indicated that this year has been one of the worst seasons to date.
The strength of sterling can have a number of effects. County Donegal has not benefited from the exchange rate. Many people from Northern Ireland, who represent an essential element of our domestic market, visited the western and north-western regions, in particular, in the past. These people are still crossing the Border—
To buy petrol.
No, they are doing so to book foreign holidays through our tour operators because the current value of sterling allows them to go abroad.
Ireland is not the only country which has benefited from the strength of sterling; Germany, Spain, Italy and France, in particular, have also benefited hugely.
We have lost out.
That is a matter for the financial markets. Sterling has a role to play throughout the European zone and its effects are felt in all EU countries. We must be very mindful of the low fare access to this country. British tourists now have more options open to them in terms of low access companies which can transfer them to a variety of destinations. This is one of the key areas in which we have lost out.
The Minister is in a position of power; can he not resolve that problem in conjunction with his Cabinet colleagues? Perhaps people could be encouraged to travel into regional airports such as Derry, Knock etc. which, as the poor relations, cannot do anything to promote tourism. Aer Rianta has this entire matter sewn up. What does the Minister intend to do about the access problem?
A high percentage of visitors come into Ireland on the east coast. I cannot simply go out to Dublin Airport and direct them to various destinations throughout the country. People can freely decide where to go and we cannot drag them by the scruff of the neck to the north-west, south-east or wherever. If we develop new tourism attractions in these regions, people will be encouraged to visit them.
The Deputy should remember that we are just getting over 30 years of political instability. People in Northern Ireland and other areas in the north are beginning to feel the positive effects of that. Annual funding of some £20 million has been secured under the national development plan for marketing, something which was previously unheard of. The North-South company held its first meeting recently and I have received total co-operation from my counterpart, the tourism Minister, Reg Empey, in Northern Ireland. Mr. Empey is a businessman who realises that £2.7 billion in tourism revenue has come into this country and he is determined that all parts of the country should benefit in this area. I am confident that the initiatives being undertaken will benefit all areas of the country.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.