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Tourism Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2013

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Ceisteanna (796, 797)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

796. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has identified major sporting events as a means to develop and promote economic activity during the course of the current year in the context of the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8897/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

797. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to examine and explore the possibility of linking up major sporting events in this country with sister events in other jurisdictions throughout Europe and globally with a view to maximising economic benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8898/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 796 and 797 together.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. 

Fáilte Ireland continues to support the sports tourism sector and in 2012 the Volvo Ocean Race returned to Ireland with its finale in Galway, Dún Laoghaire hosted the ISAF Youth World Sailing Championship, the Tall Ships and the Bavaria Motor Racing Exhibition event took place in Dublin as well as the Navy-Notre Dame American Football game in the Aviva Stadium.  Tourism Ireland also rolled out a busy programme of promotional activity to target a wide range of potential visitors in the run-up to and during the Olympic Games. 

I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the State Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support. On the sporting side, athletes from over thirty countries travelled to Ireland in 2012, for training or participation in Olympic/Paralympic related events before the London Games. I am aware of a number of sporting events taking place around the country during the year of The Gathering Ireland 2013,details of which are included on the Gathering website.

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