Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
85. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department is considering hosting niche events in Ireland in 2022 and the years that follow to entice more persons to visit Ireland. [2435/22]
View answerLargescale sporting and cultural events play an important role in attracting tourism and other activity to Ireland and, as we work to rebuild the tourism sector, there is clear value in attracting other smaller-scale events to Ireland. Such events can occur in a range of sectors such as business conferencing, culture and sport.
Business tourism, including conference tourism, has been an area of growth in recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, have operational responsibility for the development and promotion of this sector. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for developing business tourism strategy and, internationally, it works with Tourism Ireland under the "Meet in Ireland" brand to support the positioning of Ireland as a world-class conference destination. The "Meet in Ireland" team works collaboratively with key stakeholders and aims to secure high profile conferences for Ireland.
The holding of international sports events can provide a positive showcase for Ireland and help attract additional international visitors. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination and can contribute to developing a positive international profile. I am very supportive of the on-going efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport to attract international events. Tourism funding and other supports are available through Fáilte Ireland to assist with the bid stage of strategically important events. As regards sports funding, as part of the normal annual funding process NGBs can apply to Sport Ireland for funding to assist in meeting the costs involved in hosting major competitions and events.
Looking at 2022 and beyond, I understand that the pipeline of events is looking very positive in terms of events confirmed, events currently being bid for and other events in business development. With specific regard to those events due to be hosted in Ireland in 2022 and for which Fáilte Ireland funding has been confirmed, I understand that 18 such events, each due to attract over 1,000 international delegates, are to take place this year. These include the World Library and Information Conference in Dublin which is due to attract an estimated 3,000 international delegates; an Airline Economics association conference in May 2022 with an estimated 3,500 international delegates; the 11th World Potato Congress from 30 May to 2 June 2022 at the RDS, with potentially up to 1,900 international delegates; and the 2022 World Lacrosse Men's under-21 World Championship due to take place at the University of Limerick from 10-20 August 2022.
My Department, in conjunction with the NGBs, Sport Ireland and other key stakeholders, also supports the hosting of major international sporting events in Ireland, recognising the contribution of such events not just to sport but also to trade, tourism, business, community pride, and community engagement.
