Vol. 440 No. 7
5 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the prospects for the 1994 tourist season from each of our main markets; and the steps, if any, being taken by Bord Fáilte and by tourism interests to promote business from each of these markets for 1994.
10 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the prospects for the 1994 tourist season from each of our main markets; and the steps, if any, being taken by Bord Fáilte and by tourism interests to promote business from each of these markets for 1994.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 10 together.
The prospects for improved performance in tourist numbers during 1994 is favourable with growth anticipated from all our principal overseas markets. A target of 245,000 for additional visitors has been set. An increased emphasis on the marketing of new and off-season products including city breaks, golfing holidays and small company incentive meetings is paying considerable dividends. Air and sea carriers, Irish hoteliers and other tourism interests are investing increased resources in promoting these products.
Will the Minister agree that a target of 245,000 represents a relatively small increase in the number of visitors in view of favourable conditions this year such as the strengthening of the dollar, our low inflation rate and other factors which combine to make this country, a more attractive location than for some time? A more optimistic view of the 1994 season should be taken and efforts made to increase that target figure which I am sure will be reached. Will these special proposals by Bord Fáilte and the Minister be aimed at attracting people who might not otherwise come here?
The figure of 245,000 extra visitors, if achieved in 1994, will double the increase in 1993 over 1992. It is too early in the tourist season to make predictions, but that would be a considerable increase on the 1993 figure. The extra money put into the market will pay dividends and the figure of 245,000 is based on that investment.
I did not hear each of the steps listed by the Minister. Is any one of them likely to bring in a larger number of visitors this year? Will the hoped for increase of 245,000 visitors constitute a high proportion of ethnic visitors, for example, those coming from Britain for relatively short periods, or will they be genuine non-ethnic tourists who will spend larger sums of money here and stay for a longer period.
The extra measures are not aimed at people visiting friends and relatives. For example, the extra money that went towards the United States is aimed at increasing the number of visitors from that country by 57,000. Other measures are aimed at increasing the number of high-spend, non-ethnic tourists who may come here for only a short period of time and those who would not otherwise come here. The measures are aimed at attracting people who have never been here.
