Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
37. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress that has been made on The Gathering; the numbers of events by county that are due to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15043/13]
View answer62. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the progress of The Gathering 2013; the early indicators of its success at reaching out to the worldwide Irish diaspora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15045/13]
View answer68. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on The Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15220/13]
View answer80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in The Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 62, 68 and 80 together.
I am pleased that the positive start to The Gathering Ireland 2013 has continued and I am confident that the momentum will be maintained as we approach the peak tourism season. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits in 2013 which would generate some €170 million in revenue, based on historic spending patterns. The 2013 Estimates allocations to Failte Ireland include a special provision of €7 million, specifically provided to fund the promotion, development and legacy of the Gathering.
As of the end of last week, there were 3,300 individual Gatherings confirmed on the Gathering website. These include clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events and concerts taking place all across the country throughout the year. A county breakdown can be viewed on this website. Along with well-established events and festivals, we are also supporting a specially targeted set of events for the Gathering, such as the very successful New Year's Eve Event in Dublin. The People's Parade was the Gathering element of the recent St. Patrick's Festival and was a great success with almost 6,000 overseas visitors joining the parade.
The ambitious targets for overseas visits and associated revenue can only be achieved if people in our main source tourism markets are aware of the initiative. Tourism Ireland continues to mount a major consumer campaign to promote The Gathering to people across the world linked by family, friends or otherwise with Ireland. The agency is undertaking cooperative activity with major airlines and ferry operators to highlight the value fares on offer. Print, online and TV advertising is being used to promote the initiative while the recent programme of overseas Ministerial visits during the St. Patrick's Day period highlighted this special year for Irish tourism. I understand that the feedback from the diaspora in the markets has been extremely positive. Tourism Ireland has announced 2013 as Ireland's Family History Year and are encouraging people throughout the world to research their family history and connections with Ireland.
While progress to date has been encouraging, I have previously stated that all tourism stakeholders must continue to work hard to ensure that our targets are achieved. If we do so, I have no doubt that the benefits of participation in the event will have longer term positive consequences in terms of additional annual events as well as the strengthened connections being established as a result of the initiative.
