asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will give details of the figures (a) projected and (b) realised, for tourism in 1979; the reasons for the shortfall and the projected figures for 1980.
Written Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
33.
Bord Fáilte projections for 1979 were for 2.405 million out-of-State visitors and for £432.9 million revenue from all sources. The realised figures were 2.196 million visitors and £403.5 million revenue. The shortfall can for the most part be attributed to a combination of the communications difficulties and the effects of the petrol supply situation up to the introduction of the voucher scheme together with a softening in the economies of some of our main source markets overseas.
For 1980 Board Fáilte are aiming for a 7 per cent increase in real terms in revenue from all sources and for a 7 per cent increase in visitor numbers.