Paul Connaughton
Question:18 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of tourists to Ireland who rent vehicles while on holiday here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19692/04]
View answerThursday, 1 July 2004
Questions (27)
Written answers
I am informed by Fáilte Ireland that the number of overseas holiday visitors using a hired car while in Ireland in 2003 was 799,000. With an average occupancy of just over two visitors per hired car, this represents an estimated 383,000 car hire transactions. Due to the significant contribution made to the car hire sector by the American market, the number of overseas visitors using hired cars in Ireland has declined since 2000. However, there is evidence that the recovery in the sector is continuing in 2004, and with North American visits ahead of 2000 for the first time during the first four months of this year, the prospects for the sector are encouraging.
The Government is supportive of the car rental sector and has demonstrated this by the operation of the vehicle registration tax, VRT, repayment scheme, which contributes to the development of a critical tourism product and stimulates a competitive environment within the car rental sector.
Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 8.