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Tourism Promotion.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004

Wednesday, 25 February 2004

Ceisteanna (100)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he proposes to take to boost tourism in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6301/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This year Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have once again set an ambitious target of 4% growth in visitor numbers to Ireland. In this regard the state agencies have set out a very comprehensive suite of marketing and other activities during 2004 across all product niches and markets, which I am confident, can deliver on these ambitious targets.

Also this year, Exchequer investment in support of tourism services will be just under €115 million. Of this, almost €70 million will be spent in support of the marketing and promotion activities of the tourism State agencies, including the largest ever provision for the tourism marketing fund of €31.5 million. This is both a reflection of the importance attached to marketing as a driver of growth and a strong endorsement of the performance of the two agencies in delivering value for this substantial Exchequer investment.

For the first six months of 2004 Ireland will be hosting the Presidency of the EU and this will provide us with a range of opportunities to heighten awareness of the country and give an associated boost to our tourism prospects. During our Presidency we will play host to around 25 ministerial meetings as well as about 160 meetings and conferences throughout the country with the Presidency touching each of the regions providing invaluable associated exposure and publicity.

The key event for our Presidency will be enlargement which will take place on 1 May the formal date of accession for the ten new member states. To celebrate this historic occasion, Ireland will play host to a day long carnival involving cultural and artistic performances from all the accession countries in an Irish setting, to be broadcast throughout Europe. A day of welcomes will involve a day long series of events throughout the country which will culminate in major outdoor concerts both in Dublin and in Belfast.

This event will provide us with a window into millions of homes as the festivities are due to be broadcast in Europe and the United States.

As part of our Presidency programme, Fáilte Ireland is organising an international tourism conference entitled Charting Tourism Success on the theme of competitiveness and sustainability in Dublin Castle on 5 April. This will be the key tourism event in Ireland's Presidency programme and will serve to enhance the reputation of Ireland in a tourism context and is likely to attract a number of international delegates as well as positive media attention across Europe.

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