Denis Naughten
Ceist:158 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans he has to review the quality standards in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10442/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 April 2004
Ceisteanna (76, 77, 78)
Freagraí scríofa
Responsibility for conducting a review of quality standards in tourism rests with the tourism State agencies.
Since taking up office, I have consistently emphasised that the quality and levels of service offered by the tourism industry is critical to the successful development of the sector. Excellence in the physical design and quality of tourism products and good investment planning must be matched with equally good operational planning and delivery of services. If operational standards do not match the physical quality of facilities, the market potential of these facilities, for both overseas and domestic tourists may not be fully realised.
Last May I established the new National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland. This is a well-resourced body which has been assigned responsibility for the promotion of excellence in product and service delivery which are priority requirements for both the overseas and domestic tourist. It has a clear mandate to take whatever actions are appropriate to help the industry to hold and increase its market share in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Fáilte Ireland is now up and running and is well positioned to support the industry in addressing the new set of challenges facing tourism into the future, including issues such as value for money, competitiveness and quality standards.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:159 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to recent comments by the newly-elected president of the Irish Hotels Federation that the Government will have to step up its efforts to try and keep costs down to ensure Ireland remains a popular tourist destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10650/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:271 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has satisfied himself regarding the competitiveness of the tourist industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10884/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 271 together.
I am aware of the comments made by the president of the Irish Hotels Federation. I have already made my views on competitiveness very clear. I agree with the tourism policy review group that restoring competitiveness is the major challenge facing the tourism sector and that the industry must offer better value to its customers if it is to maximise the opportunities for future growth. However, there is no immediate, single or easy solution to addressing concerns. The review group listed some ten specific actions in this area that require responses from the private and public sectors including recommendations on taking responsibility for restoring competitiveness, inflation, benchmarking, customer relationship management, management capability, high standards for competitive advantage and training.
My aim is to see a coherent action plan implemented effectively in co-operation with all the major players. To this end, I have established a high level implementation group to advise and assist in driving forward and monitoring the action plan set out in the report of the review group. The group had its first meeting in February and I expect its first six-monthly report in August.
Question No. 160 answered with QuestionNo. 142.