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Tourism Industry Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2012

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Questions (13, 17, 23, 63)

Niall Collins

Question:

13. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the decline in the number of visitors to Ireland from Great Britain and North America during June, July and August of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45173/12]

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Billy Kelleher

Question:

17. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the success he has had in his efforts to generate spin off tourism from the London Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45182/12]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

23. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure increased visitor numbers by 2015; if he will outline his efforts to meet the targets for tourist numbers and job creation as outlined in the tourism section of Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45128/12]

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Olivia Mitchell

Question:

63. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the progress that he has made in improving air access to Ireland from North America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45063/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 17, 23 and 63 together.

These questions relate to the performance of the tourist sector in 2012, and efforts to improve visitor numbers and employment in that sector over the coming years.

The tourism sector is central to Government strategies for economic recovery and jobs. According to the CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey for April to June 2012, the largest increase in employment in any sector over the year to June 2012 was in tourism-related jobs, with employment in the Accommodation and Food sector increasing by 5.9% or 6,300 jobs. 

As regards arrivals, following a return to growth last year for the first time since 2007, the latest CSO figures show that overseas visits to Ireland in January-August 2012 showed a marginal decrease of 1.4% when compared to 2011, while the peak June-August period saw a fall of 2% in trips.  At main market level, results were mixed. Despite continued growth from continental Europe – the main source of overseas tourism revenue - and from the high-spending other areas of developing markets, there was a decline in trips from Great Britain and a slight decline from North America.  The British market in particular is proving difficult, with a flat economy and weak consumer confidence having a significant impact on outbound travel generally, while the Olympics generally seemed to have limited effect on consumer demand in Britain. 

Tourism Ireland has been conducting an extensive promotional programme this year, focused on our main markets including Britain and North America. Its autumn campaign aims to boost late-season travel to Ireland from around the globe, as well as promoting The Gathering Ireland 2013.  For next year, The Gathering will form the central focus of all tourism campaigns, with the work carried out by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce further informing marketing plans and activity in British and North American markets.

 An important part of improving tourist numbers from foreign markets is air access. The Dublin Airport Authority has some very attractive incentive schemes in place, including a long-haul incentive scheme, offering significant discounts on various charges for airlines opening up new routes. In particular, air access to the North American market is crucial to success in that tourist market.

As part of a recent tourist mission to North America to promote the Gathering, I met with United Airlines in Chicago and a new Chicago-Shannon route has been confirmed for next summer.  Discussions are ongoing with a number of other carriers for additional capacity linked to both general traffic demand and the expected increased traffic linked to the Gathering.

Current indications are that transatlantic capacity for summer 2013 will be higher than summer 2012, which was in the region of 27,500 seats per week. Tourism Ireland continues to work closely with Dublin Airport Authority to secure additional capacity.

Ireland’s tourism performance is dependent on improvements in the economic situation and consumer confidence in overseas markets, as well as the efforts of the industry and the agencies to promote our tourism offering and deliver a competitive and quality product.  Using The Gathering as our centrepiece for 2013, working with Tourism Ireland to sell Ireland as a destination overseas and with Fáilte Ireland to continually strengthen the competitiveness of our product, I am confident that we can grow tourist numbers and employment in the sector for 2013 and beyond.

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