asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the decline in the number of tourists visiting the West of Ireland; if he will take the necessary steps to see that the many advantages offered to the tourist in this area are properly publicised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry.
43.
Precise information on the number of tourists visiting any particular region or county is not available, but an indication of the level of tourist traffic can be obtained from the Bord Fáilte monthly surveys of tourist business in hotels, guesthouses and supplementary accommodation. These surveys are based on the results of inquiries made from a selected number of premises and are designed to compare business with the corresponding periods of 1970. The survey returns for the six months March to August, 1971, indicate that in the Western Tourism Region, which comprises Counties Mayo and Galway, 72 per cent of hotels and 50 per cent of guesthouses reported that business was better than or about the same as last year. These returns are better than the national average. Returns for farmhouses and other supplementary premises in the region showed a similar result.
There has always been special emphasis on the attractions of the West in the programme for the development and promotion of tourism and Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations are continuing to give particular attention to the western areas in their promotional and publicity campaign. In addition, increased effort is now being directed towards the expansion of domestic tourism, and this should increase the number of holidaymakers in the West.
While I do not wish to dispute the figures the Minister has quoted, may I put it to him that the people engaged in the tourist business in the West of Ireland feel that we do not get our share of publicity in comparison with other counties. We feel that publicity is weighted against us and we are very concerned about it. In the western area, apart from Galway and one or two other places, we do not get our share of publicity. There are many places of interest that have quite good guesthouses and quite good hotels and, if publicised, would be of benefit to the West of Ireland. Would the Minister use his good offices to see that we get more publicity?
I will certainly do what Deputy O'Hara has suggested. In fact, I am actually very keen on that type of effort for the West in particular. One of the heartening things about the recent difficult tourist season has been that counties like Mayo, Galway and Sligo have done fairly well and better than the national average but we want to improve it of course.
44.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether there has been a decline in tourist traffic to Ireland during 1971; if so, to what extent and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Official estimates of tourist traffic for 1971 will not be available until 1972. I am, however, informed by Bord Fáilte that the latest passenger figures indicate that tourist traffic from all areas, excluding Northern Ireland, for the first nine months of the year, showed an increase of 1.1 per cent as compared with the same period in 1970. The board expect that traffic from Northern Ireland will show a decrease of about 9 per cent this year.
The absence of adequate growth in tourist traffic is attributable mainly to the troubles in Northern Ireland and the world wide publicity given to them.
Mr. O'Donnell
I am sure the Minister will agree that the actual out-turn was far away from the forecast.
I will.
Mr. O'Donnell
Could the Minister say what went wrong? Furthermore, could he say why all the official forecasts over the last eight or nine months have been proved substantially off target?
Neither the Deputy nor myself nor anybody in this House can budget for the obtuseness of people that has led to the North of Ireland difficulties.
45.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power what plans Bord Fáilte have for the 1972 tourist season; and if he will make a statement on the outlook for tourism in 1972.
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that in the light of their experience in recent years, they have made a number of structural changes within the board with a view to strengthening and expanding their marketing and promotional activities. The board have recently altered their budget for 1971-72 to provide additional funds for marketing and promotional work for the 1972 season.
The principal lines of the board's promotional strategy for 1972 will be an intensive sales campaign directed towards the travel agents in each of the main market areas. There will be a major increase in effort towards the encouragement of home holidays and the promotion of acceptable and competitive standards of tourist products and services. Greater emphasis will also be placed on the development of ethnic traffic.
The outlook for 1972 is beset with a number of uncertainties, the likely effects of which cannot be assessed at this stage. In the circumstances it is not possible to make a meaningful prediction of tourist revenue for next year.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely the Minister will agree that we might as well face facts now and realise that we are up against it as far as the 1972 season is concerned? Is the Minister aware that our only hope of generating extra traffic or even maintaining the status quo for 1972 is by ensuring that the tourist industry gets the necessary funds to assist in mounting the very intensive promotional effort and advertising that will be necessary? Does the Minister propose to make a special subvention available for promotion and advertising which I honestly think is very necessary?
I thought the Minister for Finance made the matter quite clear yesterday but, just to itemise in factual terms what he said when he indicated the extra money being devoted to tourism out of the total capital injection he announced yesterday, £1 million extra is being made available this year for accommodation grants. Another £250,000 is being made available towards resort development and a further £250,000 towards marketing and promotion, so that the total Bord Fáilte package in this current year is going up by £1½ million.
Mr. O'Donnell
Does that include advertising?
I mentioned that. A figure of £1¼ million is being devoted specifically to marketing and advertising.
Is that grants?
Yes.
Is it being made available now?
It is being made available now by way of grant.
That is since yesterday.
It is well planned.
Only since yesterday?
Over a period of time.
They will at least be able to pay some of the bills they owe.
46.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any restructuring or reorganisation of Bord Fáilte has taken place; and, if so, if he will give details.
In reply to a question on this subject on 7th July, last, I explained that the internal structure and organisation of Bord Fáilte was being examined by the board. In the meantime, the board has made a number of structural changes, details of which were published by Bord Fáilte on 27th July and 20th September, 1971.
The structural changes related mainly to the board's marketing activities and were designed to strengthen and expand them to meet the current needs of Irish tourism including the seeking of new markets abroad, advancing the concept of home holidays for Irish people, encouraging the raising of standards throughout the industry and providing an additional range of advisory services in such areas as campaign planning and integrated marketing.
Mr. O'Donnell
While recognising the reorganisation that has taken place down the line in Bord Fáilte does the Minister not think that it might be necessary to restructure, reorganise or strengthen the board of Bord Fáilte?
No.
Mr. O'Donnell
Surely whatever blame and so forth rests with Bord Fáilte for the problems of the tourist industry in the last couple of years in the final analysis the responsibility rests with the board. If reorganisation is necessary down the line surely restructuring or strengthening must be necessary at top board level?
It was very much with what Deputy O'Donnell has mentioned in mind that I appointed two additional members last year to the board who had experience of the tourist industry. The Government agreed with that and it was incorporated last year in legislation.
It was their activities which resulted in what we got.
The problems that are there to be tackled are problems not of recent creation.
The amount of money being spent on advertising in this country for the coming year is somewhat less than £500,000.
No. It is far more than that. Is the Deputy referring to the total advertising budget?
The advertising budget for home holidays to which the Minister has referred. Is the Minister aware of the amount?
I have not got the exact figure for home holidays.
Would the Minister say if it would be less than £500,000?
That is for home holidays but the total advertising budget is £1½ million.
You spent £1½ million in Canada two years ago.
No, not that amount. If the Deputy puts down a question with regard to the other figure I will get the information for him.
It is less than £500,000.
I will ascertain the facts.
47.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power (a) the period of office of each director of Bord Fáilte; and (b) the annual allowance paid to each such director.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Bord Fáilte Éireann
|
Director |
Current term of Office |
Annual Allowance |
|
Mr. Brendan O'Regan (Chairman) |
1st July 1971 to 30th June 1973 |
£600 |
|
Mr. J.F. Dempsey |
1st July 1971 to 30th June 1973 |
£500 |
|
Mr. P.V. Doyle |
8th September 1970 to 30th June 1973 |
£500 |
|
Mr. E Evans to 30th June 1973 |
8th September 1970 to 30th June 1973 |
£500 |
|
Mr. A.L. Downes |
1st July 1969 to 30th June 1974 |
£500 |
|
Mr. J.F. Carroll |
16th May 1969 to 30th June 1973 |
£500 |
|
Mrs. C. Dunne |
1st July 1968 to 30th June 1973 |
£500 |
|
Mr. S. Glynn |
1st July 1967 to 30th June 1972 |
£500 |
|
r. J. Groome |
1st July 1967 to 30th June 1972 |
£500 |