Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2010
33 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her plans to increase the volume of overseas visitors to 2007 peak levels as stated in the Government policy document Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35230/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra43 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her expectations for the tourism industry in 2011 and the measures proposed to achieve targets in same. [36642/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra192 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she and or her Department have drawn up a plan for the future of the tourism sector with particular emphasis of job retention and creation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37074/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 43 and 192 together.
I have acknowledged on many occasions that we are currently in a very challenging period for Irish tourism. Figures for the first six months of the year show that although we welcomed over 2.6 million overseas visitors, this represented a reduction of 20.5% on the corresponding 2009 levels. Last year, when Tourism Ireland finalised its Business Plan for 2010, it set the ambitious target of growing visitor numbers by 3% against the background of a forecast decline in numbers. Clearly the target for visitor numbers will not now be met. While this is disappointing, it must be viewed in context.
Tourism worldwide has been deeply affected by global economic difficulties and loss of consumer confidence. Furthermore, the exceptional weather conditions in the early part of the year and the closure of airports in April and May due to the volcanic ash cloud meant that it was inevitable that a fall off in the numbers of people travelling, particularly in North west Europe, would be experienced in the first half of 2010. On the positive side, it should be noted that the latest published monthly figures for June 2010, show a monthly fall of 5.7 % compared to June 2009 which is significantly less than the year-on-year fall witnessed for the earlier months of 2010. Furthermore, the number of visitors from North America and other long haul destinations actually increased in June 2010 compared to June 2009 by 1.4% and 4.1% respectively. Visitors from these markets are particularly important for the tourism sector as they tend to stay longer and spend more than visitors from our nearer markets.
With regard to future targets, Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy — a Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015, launched on the 28th September last, sets a target of increasing visitor numbers to 8 million by 2015. The Strategy provides for 15,000 new jobs to be generated directly in the tourism sector by this growth in numbers. In terms of achieving these targets, the Report recognises that in the short to medium term, Ireland’s best prospects from a tourism perspective are in the United States, Great Britain and the major European markets like Germany, France, Italy and Spain. In the longer term it highlights the Asia-Pacific region as one of the fastest growing outbound tourism markets and in this regard China and India will be the highest priorities for Ireland. Tourism Ireland was represented on the High Level Group which drafted the new Strategy and it is envisaged will also be represented on the new Foreign Trade Council which is being established for the purpose of monitoring, reviewing and promoting implementation of the agreed targets as set out in the Strategy.
In terms of expectations for 2011, Tourism Ireland is finalising its Business Plan for next year at present, for subsequent approval by the North/South Ministerial Council. I understand that, drawing on the overall strategic objectives set out in Government policy, it will contain targets for returning to growth next year from all our significant overseas markets. Activity being planned by Tourism Ireland includes leveraging the strength of St Patrick's Day, targeting the Irish diaspora abroad and emphasising the great value on offer in Ireland for visitors. New infrastructure, such as the recently opened Convention Centre Dublin, will also be used to promote Ireland overseas as a professional conference and business tourism destination. Events such as the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle in 2011, the start of the Tall Ships Race Series which will be hosted by Waterford in 2011, the UEFA Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium in 2011, Irish Craft Year 2011 and the Volvo Ocean Race which returns to Galway in 2012, can be used to attract significant publicity around the world. They will provide valuable opportunities to place Ireland in the international spotlight and showcase the many attractions that we have to offer as a holiday destination.
On the domestic front, Fáilte Ireland will continue its significant investment in tourism product and services and will also continue to support local festivals and events. These, together with Fáilte's highly successful "holiday at home" marketing campaign, are playing a key role in boosting tourist revenues around the country as well as boosting employment.
In summary, while we have certainly gone through a difficult recent period for Irish tourism, I believe that the Government is pursuing the right programmes and measures to support the continued development of tourism. We are working with the industry and the tourism agencies in order to position the tourism sector for recovery and growth as part of the Government's wider strategy for economic renewal. I am confident that the necessary supports are in place to ensure that the ambitious targets previously outlined will be achieved in the years ahead.
