Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work her Department is undertaking in active tourism with a view to developing and promoting Ireland as a long-stay tourism destination to spread tourism more evenly across the regions, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52957/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the respective roles of both of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, are to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland, and to market the island of Ireland to an international audience. It has been a long-standing policy objective to ensure that tourism benefits all regions and ensure that the benefits are not confined to the peak tourism season.
In terms of future policy, my Department is currently progressing with the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030 and issues around regionality and seasonality will again be key considerations. While I want to see the tourism sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ultimately ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices. Initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed earlier this year, and I will shortly launch a public consultation to give the public the chance to have their say. I hope to have the new policy framework itself finalised in the first quarter of next year.
Fáilte Ireland continues to work in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks and investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals.?Fáilte Ireland also provides consumer and buyer insights, mentoring, business supports and training programmes and buyer platforms to help tourism businesses innovate and grow. In terms of activity development, Fáilte Ireland has focused on three main areas for development, walking, cycling and water based activities. To leverage activity tourism development on state owned assets they also have a number of strategic partnerships with Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Waterways Ireland and a co-ordinated approach to outdoor recreation priorities with the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Fáilte Ireland launched four new Regional Tourism Development Strategies this year, which outline a vision for tourism and which contain a five-year strategic framework for the sustainable development of Fáilte Ireland’s regional brands. By focussing on the uniqueness of each brand, they set a clear path ahead for the development of new and enhanced visitor experiences, building greater capacity and capability into the industry, and provide a clear strategy for attracting visitors that will stay longer and spend more.
Tourism Ireland also works to promote sustainable tourism to target overseas markets for long stays including promotion of off-season activity around the world has been highlighting the many reasons to visit Ireland for long stays during the autumn and winter months – including festivals and events like Púca Festival, Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival, Savour Kilkenny Food Festival, Cork Jazz Festival and Wexford Festival Opera.
