asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the present Government objectives for the development of the Irish tourism industry; and the steps he proposes taking to achieve the targets as set out in the document Building on Reality, 1985-87.
Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.
20.
The Government's objectives on tourism are to optimise the economic and social benefits to Ireland gained by the promotion and development of tourism while ensuring an economic rate of return on the resources employed. In this approach emphasis is put on: the job creation potential of tourism; the quality of life and development of the community; the enhancement and preservation of the nation's cultural heritage; the conservation of the physical resources of the country; tourism's contribution to the programme of regional development.
The Government consider that the job creation aspect of the tourism industry is crucial and they will be seeking to ensure that this aspect will be kept to the forefront of Bord Fáilte and of every other State agency directly or indirectly involved in tourism. The steps to achieve the targets set out in the document Building on Reality 1985-87 will be indicated in a Government statement on tourism policy which, I hope, will be issued in the near future.