Denis Naughten
Question:40 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he intends to take to ensure a balanced regional spread of tourists throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31444/03]
Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.
Denis Naughten
Question:41 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he intends to take to ensure a balanced regional spread of tourists throughout the BMW region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31445/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.
Better regional spread of tourism activity has been and remains a key objective of Irish tourism policy. Achieving that goal has long been recognised as a major challenge and is something that is fully reflected in the programmes and initiatives operated by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and in the action plan set out in the recent report by the tourism policy review group.
The tourism policy review group report sets out a strategy for tourism that is comprehensive, coherent and challenging for both Departments and agencies and for the industry itself. It has put the emphasis on an agenda for action highlighting 70 individual recommended actions that will support the development of the tourism sector over the next decade. While many of the actions proposed by the review group will have an impact on the regional distribution of tourism, key actions in this regard include those relating to product development, tourism promotion, access transport and the appropriate infrastructure and arrangements for the delivery of tourism at regional level.
Having set out my overall policy position in relation to regional distribution of tourism, I should add that I have no direct responsibility in relation to individual actions or measures relating to tourism development in so far as specific areas of the country are concerned.