Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

357 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 16 November 2000, he will give more details regarding the pilot marketing initiative which is continuing in 2000; and if grant aid will be available to small family run hotels outside the major tourist regions under the regional operational programmes, which propose to expand and enhance their tourist product. [28480/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Last year I launched a pilot marketing initiative, under which Bord Fáilte provided a budget of £300,000, targeted primarily at small accommodation providers with a view to increasing business overall, particularly in off-peak seasons and in rural areas. This year, Bord Fáilte has continued the initiative with an increased budget of £500,000 and the ambit of the scheme has broadened to include small family run hotels.

I am informed by Bord Fáilte that over the past two years a range of practical promotional activities took place on behalf of the B and B sector as a whole, including co-operative attendance at trade and consumer fairs; advertising; off-season promotions with tour operators; participation in trade education programmes; direct mail cam paigns; filming of a generic promotional video in June 2000 and publicity. Bord Fáilte also organised a series of workshops from November 1999 to May 2000 to assist providers in developing simple methods of promotion. A number of marketing seminars were also run to provide assistance and advice on more advanced marketing issues.

On the question of grant aid for small family run hotels to expand and enhance their product, I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to parliamentary Question No. 47 on 16 November 2000. Under the national developmental plan, the support for tourism product development referred to in my previous answer will be made available under the tourism measure within two regional operational programmes, the Border, midlands and western – BMW – regional Operational Programme and the southern and eastern – S&E – regional Operational Programme. Under the programmes, project proposals will be assessed by Bord Fáilte Éireann and the decision-making in terms of grant approval will fall to two independent product management boards. As tourist accommodation projects will not be a priority for grant assistance under the regional operational programmes, there is no specific provision for grant aid for small hotels.

David Stanton

Ceist:

358 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the agency or agencies responsible for promoting Ireland as a holiday destination in the home market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28481/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Bord Failte, in conjunction with the regional tourism authorities and with the support of industry, is responsible for the promotion of Ireland as a domestic holiday destination.