Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

64 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress which has been made regarding objectives set out in the national development plan of spreading visitor numbers more widely throughout the year and increasing business captured by the BMW region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2542/02]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

74 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress made to date in implementing the targets set for the tourism sector in the NDP; if there is a proposal to review the targets in view of difficulties facing the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2534/02]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 74 together.

Under the framework of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, published in November 1999, a number of indicators and targets have been set for tourism performance over the life of the plan. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism were projected to grow at an annual average rate of 5%, while a reduction of two percentage points was targeted over the seven year period in the number of visitors arriving during the peak July-August period. In addition, an increase of three percentage points in the proportion of total out of State tourism revenue accruing to the Border, midland and western region was targeted over the life of the plan.

For the year 2000, the first full year of the NDP, foreign exchange earnings from tourism increased by approximately 15%, well ahead of the 5% target. There was a reduction of one percentage point in the number of visitors arriving during the peak July-August period. Progress against the regional target was also satisfactory with a gain of over two percentage points in the proportion of tourism revenue accruing to the BMW region.

While the above outcome is encouraging, caution must be exercised in interpreting the results for a single year in the context of multiannual target setting.

Final figures for 2001 are not available. Due to the adverse impact on tourism by the foot and mouth disease emergency earlier this year and the inevitable negative repercussions for foreign travel of the recent terrorist attacks in the US, foreign exchange earnings from tourism are forecast by Bord Fáilte to be down this year for the first time in a decade. While the NDP targets must be viewed in the context of a seven year timeframe, it is inevitable that the recent unexpected setbacks will make the achievement of these targets by the industry more challenging.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 43.