Michael Ahern
Ceist:42 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to encourage the main banks and investment banks to play a more positive role in product development and marketing of Irish tourism. [13329/96]
Written Answers. - Tourism Development.
The main banks and investment banks generally do not invest directly in tourism product development but support through lending, private sector developers who do. Their support for individual projects is based on normal commercial banking criteria and I have no evidence of any general reluctance on their part to support tourism projects.
The banks have participated in two subsidised low fixed interest loan schemes under which tourism projects qualify. These were the small business expansion loan scheme (SBELS) administered by the ICC Bank which allocated £25 million to tourism projects, and its successor, the access to finance scheme (AFS), administered by the four main banks, AIB, Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank under which a minimum of £52 million was reserved for tourism.
The banks also provide a range of services to tourists and, in so doing, benefit considerably from the growth in tourism. I accept, therefore, that there is scope for increasing their profile in tourism promotion in co-operation with Bord Fáilte and the industry. There is regular informal liaison between Bord Fáilte and the banks in this regard and I expect this process to continue with productive results.
Increased involvement in tourism development by the banks at local level would also be desirable through for example sponsorship of events, promotion and advertising. This is however best addressed at regional level between the regional tourism organisations, the local tourism industry and the banks.