Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2015
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector has contributed to national economic recovery; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the provisions already in place to facilitate the future development and expansion of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/15]
View answer163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any particular sectors of the tourism sector in 2015 have shown particular potential for growth with consequent economic benefit in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 163 together.
Tourism is contributing significantly to Ireland's economic recovery. CSO overseas tourism figures for the first seven months of 2015 show that there were over 4.8 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 12.2% on the same seven-month period of 2014.
This growth in overseas visits has been accompanied by strong growth in overseas tourism revenue from all the main markets. The most recent CSO Quarterly Tourism and Travel publication shows that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding air fares or ferry charges) for the first half of 2015 increased by 16.2%, compared to the same 6-month period of 2014. There was 8.4% growth in revenue from Great Britain, 33.7% growth in revenue from North America, and 14.9% growth in revenue from Mainland Europe. Other long-haul markets recorded growth of 2.6% in revenue.
The Government’s Tourism Policy “People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025” acknowledges that generating increased levels of overseas revenue is key for the future of Irish tourism and the Government’s ambition is that overseas tourism revenue will reach €5 billion by 2025 net of inflation, compared to €3.5 billion in 2014.
I have recently appointed a Tourism Leadership Group, to put in place a Tourism Action Plan that will set out the actions required in the period to 2018 in order that the overall objectives in "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" can be achieved. I intend to publish the Tourism Action Plan in the first quarter of 2016.
