Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:1 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on media reports regarding the declining numbers of tourists coming from the USA in 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:8 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the trend in the tourist trade in 1993 in relation to foreign tourists in comparison with recent years; and if he will give the number of visitors from north America in particular.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 8 together.
I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the CSO tourism statistics for recent years, highlighting annual changes and trends in traffic from North America.
The latest tourism estimates available from the CSO for the 1993 season relate to the period January-March and show an 8 per cent increase in overseas visitors on the same period last year. The first quarter normally accounts for less than 14 per cent of annual tourism and any conclusions reached on so small a base about trends for the remainder of the season have to be treated with some caution. The CSO estimate that traffic grew by 12 per cent from Britain in the first three months of this year on 1992 and by 6 per cent from continental Europe but dropped by over 8 per cent from North America, where the US economy is still coming slowly out of recession. International tourist traffic out of North America suffered a serious setback in 1991 because of the Gulf War and as a result traffic from that market to Ireland is still struggling to return to the all-time high record figures of 1990.
Following is the statement.
Overseas Visitors to Ireland
|
Year |
Total Overseas Visitors |
% change |
Visitors from N.America |
% change |
|
000s |
000s |
|||
|
1985 |
1,912 |
+2 |
404 |
+25 |
|
1986 |
1,813 |
–5 |
327 |
–19 |
|
1987 |
2,039 |
+12 |
383 |
+17 |
|
1988 |
2,345 |
+15 |
401 |
+5 |
|
1989 |
2,732 |
+17 |
417 |
+4 |
|
1990 |
3,069 |
+12 |
434 |
+4 |
|
1991 |
2,997 |
–2 |
342 |
– 21 |
|
1992 |
3,128 |
+4 |
405 |
+18 |
Source: CSO.
Is the Minister aware that Ireland's share of the North American market, of people from North America visiting Europe, has declined from 6.5 per cent in 1987 to 5.2 per cent in 1991-92? Is he also aware that the numbers from 1990 to 1992 declined by 30,000? What steps does he propose to take to reverse this significant trend?
The Deputy is correct in saying the numbers of tourists from North America to Ireland has decreased from the record figure in 1990 of 434,000 to 405,000 in 1992. The 1991 figure was down on the 1990 figure and the 1992 figure was an increase on the 1991 figure. We hope this year to get back to the 1990 figure. There are many reasons the number of tourists from North America has decreased. Bord Fáilte and my Department are aware of the position. Earlier this year there was an active campaign in the United States to boost figures for this year. People take a number of economic factors into account when deciding on holidays. I will be pleased if the 1993 North American tourists figures are similar to the 1990 figure.
Is the Minister aware that Aer Lingus has had to cancel some 25 flights from America because of lack of numbers? Expenditure on promotion in the market place has been cut from £11.7 million to £10.2 million this year and this had had an adverse effect on the American market. There are large areas in the United States where Ireland is not promoted because of lack of resources. Is the Minister aware of the statement in The Irish Times today which states that the US State Department warns American tourists to take——
Quotations at Question Time are not in order.
In view of the statement by the US State Department and the widespread cancellations that will probably result from it, will the Minister give a commitment regarding steps he proposes to take to reverse this serious trend?
There are separate questions tabled in regard to crime and its effect on tourists in the Irish market.
This is not about crime.
As Minister for Tourism and Trade I am interested to ensure that tourist numbers are increased from all parts of the world, not just from the United States. We are active in promoting Ireland in the United States and are competing with many other European countries. I am satisfied that the spend in respect of the American market is sufficient. Hopefully this year tourist figures from North America will be similar to the record high figure of 1990.