Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:26 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the specific steps, if any, being taken to develop quality rather than quantity in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13431/96]
Written Answers. - Tourism Development.
Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:58 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to regulate the number of persons visiting particular areas of natural or archaeological interest in view of concerns that high concentrations of visitors at particular times can place unsustainable pressure on both the infrastructure and the environment of some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13445/96]
Tony Killeen
Ceist:243 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the action, if any, he has taken in relation to the subject matter of Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 21 May 1996. [13566/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 58 and 243 together.
Ireland has achieved record and sustained tourism growth in recent years with 4.25 million overseas visitors in 1995. This does not constitute mass tourism. Unlike for example some southern European destinations where tourism is concentrated in narrow coastal areas, we can achieve a wide geographical spread of tourism. This coupled with our low population density means we are better placed to preserve our environment, while at the same time maintaining a unique holiday experience for our visitors. Government policy on tourism development fully recognises that Ireland's clean environment is one of our major natural tourism strengths and that a balance must be struck between conservation and development. The targets we have set the tourism industry relate to growth in overseas revenue and job creation, emphasising the need to develop a sustainable industry by concentrating on a quality product rather than quantity.
Measures to achieve this objective, as set out in the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999 include the following: improving the seasonality profile of Irish tourism. The aim is that by 1999, 75 per cent of visitors will arrive in Ireland outside the peak July-August period compared with about 70 per cent at present; attracting high yield business. Priority is given to marketing conference and incentive business and other quality niche and activity markets such as cruising, golf, equestrian, shoppers and users of paid services such as accommodation and car hire; where possible enhancing existing product investment rather than creating new developments; a wide geographical dispersal to minimise capacity problems; all developments are required to comply with the best environmental standards; and progress on the consistency between tourism developments and the principle of sustainability will continue to be monitored as part of the programme.
Statutory responsibility for environmental protection generally rests with the Minister for the Environment while the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has certain statutory responsibilities in relation to the protection of Heritage Areas. I understand that the heritage services — national parks and wildlife service and national monuments and historic properties service — of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht operate an ongoing review of the impact of visitors on heritage sites in order that suitable control and management procedures are exercised and applied as necessary. Similarly, the national monuments and historic properties service aims to keep visiting levels at each heritage property to the optimum number of visitors consistent with site protection and presentation and to manage such properties accordingly.
The issue is best addressed in the context of the strategies and monitoring arrangements I have already outlined. I have considered this matter in the light of discussion on Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 21 May and I am satisfied the issue is afforded a high priority by the relevant agencies.