Vol. 576 No. 6
3 Mr. Wall asked the Taoiseach the number of visitors to Ireland since the beginning of 2003; the way in which this compares with the same period in 2002; the projections for tourist numbers for the remainder of 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/03]
4 Mr. Wall asked the Taoiseach the number of visitors to Ireland to date in 2003 and the way in which this compares with the same period in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27209/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The latest statistics from the CSO relate to the period from 1 January 2003 to 30 September 2003. It is estimated that there were 5 million overseas visits to Ireland by non-residents in the first nine months of 2003 compared to just under 4.8 million such visits in the same period in 2002 – an increase of 4.8%. The Central Statistics Office does not compile projections for tourism statistics but will publish estimates for the fourth quarter of 2003 before the end of March next year.
What is the position with regard to cross-channel travel? Is there any information or documentation as to the difference between cross-channel visitors and continental visitors? According to the information available to me, we do not appear to have picked up on the value of sterling against the euro as far as cross-channel tourism is concerned. The increase in that regard is only 3.7%, as compared to an increase of 13.5% on continental routes. Is there any further information on reports or investigations on that aspect of the figures?
Yes, we have specific figures on travel routes for incoming visitors to the country. In the case of cross-channel travel for the third quarter of 2003, 957,000 people travelled by air and 539,000 by sea. The rest came from continental Europe or via transatlantic routes. Both of those figures were substantially higher than in the other direction. For example, the transatlantic figure was 202,000, as compared to cross-channel air travel at 957,000. Those figures are available in the tourism and travel bulletin from the CSO for the third quarter, which I can make available to the Deputy.
With regard to incoming tourism, has the census evaluated the reason for the fall-off in the number of people coming specifically for walking and hiking holidays? There is a need to assess that aspect. Did the CSO investigate the reason the figures have fallen over the last ten years, from 322,000 to 241,000 in 2001? Despite that, walking tours are still worth over €144 million to the economy – more than earnings from golf, angling and cycling holidays, for example. Does the Minister of State agree there is a need to ask that question and has she any answers in that regard? Have there been any references to the change in the REP scheme, which has seen an end to the payment given to farmers to allow public access to farmland over the last two years? Will the Government consider following the approach taken by the Scottish Parliament, which has addressed this issue by preparing legislation to enable greater access to the countryside? Will the Minister of State inform the House if the CSO has looked into that situation?
The first question is in order. The second is for the line Minister.
The CSO has looked at the method of travel, reason for journey and the area of residence from which people are coming. I am aware that the tourism industry has many more details on why people are coming to visit. The Government has now spent more than ever on marketing Irish tourism with an allocation for this year of €30.4 million. There are also specific figures on sports tourism, festival and cultural events in order to market the country.
The Government has also funded specific advertisements and marketing campaigns to attract the type of tourist the Deputy mentioned. For the autumn and winter marketing campaign, Tourism Ireland invested €8 million. In Germany, for example, a 50 page walking Ireland special wander magazine was printed and distributed to encourage that variety of tourist to visit.
The largest factor against people travelling is not so much travelling to Ireland but travelling at all due to certain international situations. A feature now noted is that people are booking holidays later in order to travel. The Government is trying to capitalise on this. In the last number of months, overseas tourist numbers grew by over 3%. Given the international situation in the first six months of 2003, that is a positive sign. I will ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, to provide more details to Deputy Sargent as to the type of marketing used for walking breaks etc. in attracting that type of visitor.
Are there statistics available for people coming to Ireland for boating holidays? What has been the effect of the recent cross-Border agreement in which Waterways Ireland is now based in Enniskillen? Are there figures for before and after the agreement to see if it had an effect on the number of visitors coming for boating holidays?
I do not have that information to hand but I will check with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue. It is interesting how the island of Ireland is now being marketed which is to the benefit of both North and South. Tourism Ireland's allocation is €22.8 million and it levers an additional €6.2 million from Northern Ireland. That type of cross-Border co-operation is to the benefit of the whole island.
Given that about 2 million visitors come to Ireland every year and given that it is not possible to serve a summons on anybody outside the jurisdiction who breaks the law, are there figures for visitors who were prosecuted, for say, drunk driving or other offences? These 2 million people are effectively exempt from most of our laws.
Are these figures compiled by the CSO?
No, I assume they are complied by the Garda. A parliamentary question to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform would elicit the information required.
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoin €5 mhilliún a tháinig ag tús na bliana seo. An bhfuil na figiúirí sin briste síos idir dhaoine atá ag teacht ar saoire agus daoine atá ag teacht ar ghnó agus fáthanna eile?
Tá siad briste síos idir business, holiday, leisure and recreation, visits to friends and relatives. Sin iad na trí ranna sna figiúiri. Cuirfidh mé an t-eolas ar fad atá agam ón CSO don Teachta ar an third quarter report on tourism and travel.
