Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 7

Written Answers. - Tourism Development.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

350 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on whether the spectacular growth in tourist numbers will be sustainable; and his views on whether the rising numbers will be a threat to the very nature of our tourist industry. [22220/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

351 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals, if any, he has for the future of tourism, particularly his proposals to protect the clean, green and emotional nature of this industry, as promoted by the joint efforts of Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. [22221/96]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

352 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, he proposes to implement to protect the fickle nature of tourism in Ireland from excessive numbers. [22222/96]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351 and 352 together.

Ireland has achieved record and sustained tourism growth in recent years with 4.25 million overseas visitors in 1995. This does not, in my opinion, constitute mass tourism nor is the Government interested in developing a mass tourism product in Ireland. Unlike, for example, some 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 and improving seasonal spread, means that we are better placed to preserve our environment, while at the same time maintaining a unique holiday experience for our visitors.

The Government's policy on tourism development takes full account of the value of the image of Ireland's clean, green environment and the consequent need to protect it. The ambitious growth targets set for the tourism sector relate to growth in overseas revenue and job creation and emphasise the need to develop a sustainable industry concentrating on a quality product rather than quantity. The strategy of increasing tourism revenue yield is an integral element of the "Brand Ireland" campaign launched last week.

The Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999 acknowledges that a balance must be struck between tourism development and preservation of the environment. Measures to achieve this objective, as set out in the programme, 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, equistrian, 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; capital projects recommended for assistance under the programme are required to comply with all environmental regulatory requirements as a condition for grant approval and support for overseas marketing under the programme is weighted towards projects that aim to extend the season; 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 put in place 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.

I acknowledge the need for the ongoing monitoring and management of the impact of tourism on the environment, particularly during the peak tourism season. Such problems are already being addressed in the context of the strategies and monitoring arrangements that I have already outlined. I am satisfied that the issue is afforded a high priority by the relevant agencies and there are no further plans by my Department at this time to introduce any additional measures in this regard.