Denis Foley
Question:399 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will prepare a programme of assistance for the tourism industry to recover markets after the present outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [10068/01]
Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
Question:
400 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he plans to introduce any measures to compensate persons involved in the hotel and tourism industries due to the effect of foot and mouth disease. [10069/01]
Enda Kenny
Question:413 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans he has to lead personally an international marketing drive to protect existing business contracted for Ireland in 2001 and to clarify for potential visitors from abroad the fact that Ireland is open as a tourist destination despite foot and mouth activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 399, 400 and 413 together.
Bord Fáilte is currently finalising, in consultation with the industry, a major reassurance tourism marketing campaign to counter the adverse effects of foot and mouth disease on the tourism sector, following discussions which I had recently with both the chairman and the chief executive of Bord Fáilte. The campaign will be rolled out progressively in line with the best marketing advice and the advice of the expert group on foot and mouth disease controls established by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Deputy Walsh. The objective of the campaign will be to reassure potential holidaymakers, both at home and abroad, as well as the travel trade, that Ireland is a safe destination which is open for business. It will also emphasise that Ireland continues to offer its traditional warm and friendly welcome to all our visitors, a point which I have highlighted in many recent statements.