Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
454. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost in 2023 if the budget for the Tourism Ireland regional co-operation marketing fund was increased by 75%. [1796/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Tourism Ireland promotes regional air and sea access to Ireland in overseas tourism markets through initiatives like the Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund. This fund seeks to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions, with matched funding from airlines, sea carriers, airports, ports and regional tourism stakeholders including Local Authorities.
The Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund has been very important in enabling tactical partnerships that have helped drive increases in visitors to the regions, amplifying Ireland's tourism message overseas and supporting direct access. This scheme will continue to form a very important part of Tourism Ireland's plans in supporting the recovery of our tourism sector in a post-pandemic environment.
The allocation to Tourism Ireland in respect of the Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund in 2023 is €3 million, therefore a 75% increase would cost €2.25 million.
