Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
1415. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a scheme providing cash rewards or other incentives to private persons which would attract visitors to holiday here; his views on whether such a scheme would help grow overseas visitor numbers and the associated revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16993/13]
View answerThe promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination, including specific marketing drives and incentives to attract visitors, is an operational matter for the tourism agencies. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for tourism development generally, including development of tourism facilities and services, establishment and maintenance of accommodation registers, enterprise supports, training, research and planning and development and marketing of tourism facilities and services in the State. Tourism Ireland is responsible for the overseas promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourist destination. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s question to both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
I think, however, to be effective the scheme would have to be able to distinguish tourist who would have come anyway from tourists who would not have come to Ireland had the reward scheme not been in place in order to avoid deadweight costs. I think this would be difficult to the establish and more funding for festivals, events and conferences might be a better way to achieve the same outcome without having to give any individuals a cash reward.
