Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department has monitored the success of The Gathering in terms of benefit to the tourism industry; the degree if any to which the experience can be used in future years to build on its success with obvious benefit to the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54375/13]
View answer30. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a good way to build on the success of The Gathering would be to designate 2015 the year of the home gathering, which would be a major drive to encourage Irish residents to holiday somewhere in Ireland during 2015, with communities and tourism operators organising events and providing offers to incentivise home holidaying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54140/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 30 together.
The primary of the Gathering Ireland 2013 was to generate additional overseas visits and increase revenue in 2013. We set a target of 325,000 visitors and we will exceed this. A detailed study to evaluate the economic impact of The Gathering is being undertaken and it is hoped to have this complete by April. Of course, the Gathering was not just about visitor numbers and revenues. It is also about community pride and strengthening links with the diaspora.
The Gathering helped to strengthen existing links with Irish communities abroad and create new connections. Tourism Ireland will continue to work with the diaspora networks and will include these as part of its future promotional work overseas. The networks and databases created through The Gathering will also remain as a valuable asset to Irish tourism.
A number of Gathering-related events and festivals have already been identified as having potential to run again. Similarly, the success of the Emerald Isle Classic college football game, which was a key part of the Gathering campaign, is being built on with next year's game between Penn State – with the largest alumni association in the US - and the University of Central Florida in Croke Park.
The Gathering also made a vital contribution to the local community. The Gathering network provided extensive training to more than 2,500 people and these community engagement skills will endure and be available to support other local events.
In terms of future policy, as the Deputy will be aware, my Department is currently undertaking a review of tourism policy. Following a detailed analysis of the responses received to the public consultation process, I plan to issue a draft tourism policy document and after a short period of consultation, to finalise the new policy by Easter 2014. The question of any future Gathering type initiatives can be considered in that context but for now, I have no such plans. As in recent years, Failte Ireland will continue to run a Home Holidays Marketing Campaign to foster growth in the domestic market next year.
