Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2022
32. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she would be in favour of the extension of Ireland's Ancient East marketing brand to include counties such as Antrim, Armagh and Down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56969/22]
View answerAs the National Tourism Development Authority, in line with its statutory functions as set out in Section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth of tourism in Ireland. Its remit does not extend to Northern Ireland. Tourism Northern Ireland, which is an agency under the aegis of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, is responsible for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland develops, supports and promotes tourism at regional and county level within the State in line with the relevant tourism experience brands, which provide the overarching context for enterprise supports, tourism product development and related marketing. There are four regional tourism experience brands covering all counties of the Republic of Ireland – the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin .
Tourism Ireland promotes the island of Ireland in more than 21 markets overseas as a compelling holiday destination, using the Ireland brand to position the island as strongly as possible against the more than 200 other destinations with which Ireland competes. Tourism Ireland promotes Ireland's four regional experience brands, as well as Northern Ireland’s experience brand Embrace a Giant Spirit , on a range of platforms, including online, overseas trade platforms and other publicity.
My Department and both tourism agencies will continue to foster north-south co-operation to enhance an all-island tourism offering and grow international visitor numbers to the entire island. My officials continue to liaise with their counterparts in the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland - through monthly meetings and also quarterly operational meetings with both the Department for the Economy and Tourism Ireland.
