Paudge Connolly
Ceist:355 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures he proposes to take to boost tourism in the current season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18293/03]
Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.
CSO returns for the first quarter of 2003, which show visitor numbers marginally falling by 0.3% and revenue increasing by almost 10%, are a good indication that the tourism sector has managed to hold its own, despite the exceptional difficulties on the international front. With a strong Exchequer investment in tourism marketing this year, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have been able to implement a strong and sustained campaign of marketing activities in our key source markets. The marketing programmes for Britain, continental Europe and the US have been boosted over the last number of weeks to ensure that Ireland is ideally positioned to capitalise on any upturn in consumer confidence in the wake of the Iraqi conflict. I have loaned my support to the marketing effort with visits to Germany, Britain and France earlier this year and a six-day visit to the east and west coasts of the US commencing this week. With some improvement in air access this year, a more flexible approach to the deployment of marketing funds and the maintenance of an active presence in key markets for the rest of the year, Ireland should be well placed to benefit from any significant upturn in the international market over the remainder of the year. If the sector maintains competitiveness and there are no further major external shocks, I believe that Irish tourism can continue to win good tourism business this year.