Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tourism Organisations.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of local tourism organisations here; the level of financial support available to encourage their activities; if he favours the involvement and extension of local community activity in the tourism sector; and if he envisages scope for further development and resourcing of local tourism organisations. [2375/02]

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

Bord Fáilte has established six regional tourism authorities for the promotion and development of tourism on a regional basis. Their functions include visitor servicing, product development and regional marketing in co-operation with the tourist industry, development co-operation and planning. These functions are carried out in a seventh region, the mid-west by Shannon Development.

The RTAs and Shannon Development also play a key role in co-ordinating tourism initiatives across their respective regions and in formulating the tourism perspective for the new county and city strategies for economic social and cultural development via the county development boards. The RTAs have 24 county tourism committees which give a voice to the industry at county level.

The allocation of funding to the RTAs is an operational issue for Bord Fáilte who provides details of the subventions in its annual report and accounts, copies of which are lodged in the Oireachtas Library. The RTAs also receive annual subscriptions from members and generate other income from a range of commercial activities in which they are involved.

There are a number of other local tourism groups funded by local subscription and sponsorship. They also avail of funding from sources such as county enterprise boards, Leader programmes, local authorities in which I have no function or details.

The voluntary effort and contribution of local communities and organisations can be a key factor influencing visitor welcome and activity. Of course they help produce a wider spin-off for local economies. There is an inherent risk that any proliferation of such groups can give rise to duplication of effort and reduced effectiveness in the use of scarce resources. It is vital that local groups who wish to be involved in tourism acquaint themselves, and act in accordance with, national and regional tourism development and marketing strategies. Local initiatives, whether on the tourism product or marketing sides must, if they are to be effective, tie in with these wider strategies.

It is important to ensure that the extension and involvement of local community activity in the tourism sector does not lead to its fragmentation and that available resources are used prudently in keeping with the aims and objectives of the local RTA and national tourism policy. Accordingly, I strongly recommend that all local groups work in close partnership with their local RTA and county tourism committees so that all efforts can be co-ordinated in a way that will achieve optimum results for visitors and local communities alike.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 43.