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Tourism Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Questions (41)

Gerry Adams

Question:

41. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he plans to reduce the tourism marketing fund by 5%; where he expects the savings to come from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57265/12]

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Written answers

The question relates to the allocation for the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2013.

The overall provision for tourism services in 2013 is approximately €140 million across a diverse range of activities. Within this, the Tourism Marketing Fund has a provision of over €37 million. While this represents a reduction of 5% on the 2012 allocation, it will enable Tourism Ireland to fully implement their 2013 Marketing Plans which were launched by Minister Varadkar on the 29th November. Most of the Tourism Marketing fund is allocated to Tourism Ireland, the agency with responsibility for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourist destination. As the Deputy will be aware, all north/south bodies are required to achieve 3% efficiency savings year on year, with the balance of the reduction in 2013 being implemented through a consolidation in the areas of overseas product, niche and regional marketing led by Fáilte Ireland.

While the Tourism Marketing Fund itself has been reduced slightly, it should be noted that the major focus of overseas promotion next year will be on The Gathering Ireland 2013, the biggest ever tourism  initiative held in Ireland. A special allocation of €7 million has been provided for the initiative in the Estimates for 2013 which should assist in achieving our ambitious target of 325,000 extra visitors to Ireland next year.

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