Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline her plans to address the bed shortage in the tourism sector as a result of many beds being used in the response to the migration crisis. [3872/24]
View answerThe war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for the management of State contracts to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) fleeing the war in Ukraine, and International Protection (IP) applicants and, while grateful for the role that the tourism sector has played so far in accommodating BOTPs and IP applicants, is aware that this is not sustainable over the longer term.
In June and November 2023, Fáilte Ireland carried out detailed analyses of data provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth concerning the bed stock under contract to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants and established that, in June, 13% of all registered tourism accommodation stock nationally was under contract to the State reducing to 12% by November 2023. An additional quantum of tourism-type accommodation that is not registered with Fáilte Ireland is also contracted to the State. This analysis also identified that, in five counties, more than 20% of the registered tourism accommodation stock is used for humanitarian purposes.
During 2023, Fáilte Ireland also undertook research on the impact of tourism accommodation stock displacement on tourist attraction and activity providers. The overall findings were that most attractions, experiences and activity providers experienced a drop in business volume during 2023 compared to 2019 across all three markets (ROI, NI and overseas). The research also indicated that competition from overseas destinations was a major issue, especially when trying to attract Irish holidaymakers who are able to travel abroad again. Public contracts for accommodation were also seen as a key contributor to the decline in business, especially in the overseas market.
As part of the Budget 2024, I am making up to €10 million available for a programme of supports targeted at those downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives. My officials and Fáilte Ireland have engaged intensively on this scheme and I am advised that the scheme details will be finalised and published soon.
