Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

192 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he intends to increase the number of Unites States residents travelling to the United Kingdom who extend their holiday to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6215/95]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

While I was in the US last week I announced details of a new joint agreement between Bord Fáilte, British Airways and CIE Tours International to bring US tourists to Ireland. This agreement gives Ireland the opportunity to access new markets in the US through 17 major cities served by British Airways.

The itineraries for Ireland feature transatlantic travel on British Airways via London with connections to Ireland on Aer Lingus. CIE Tours International are the ground operators and will co-ordinate travel around the country.

I expect that this new promotion will bring up to 10,000 US tourists to Ireland each year over the next three years. I also propose to look at other possibilities in this regard over the coming months.