Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he expects the tourism sector to expand in the current year; if specific areas have been identified as having a particular growth potential; the degree to which the economic benefit accruing has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21562/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approved Tourism Ireland Business Plan for 2014 targets growth in visitor numbers to Ireland of 4% this year and growth in associated visitor revenue of 7%. Priority overseas markets will again be the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France, which together deliver almost three-quarters of all our overseas visitors but promotions will also continue in other markets.
The most recent CSO figures show that we are well on target to reach these targets. The figures show that overseas visit numbers were up by 7.3% for the first quarter of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013.
Spending in Ireland by overseas visitors - excluding fares - reached €3.3 billion in 2013, an increase of 11.9% on 2012. The seasonally adjusted level of employment in accommodation and food service for the last quarter of 2013 was 137,000 - the highest level at any time since the economic crisis began. It is clear that tourism is not only playing an important role in our economic recovery but also in putting people in jobs, right across the country, and I am confident that this trend will continue in 2014.
Tourism Ireland, working closely with Fáilte Ireland, is placing a major focus on highlighting the Wild Atlantic Way this year. It is also promoting key events including the Croke Park Classic American football game and the very successful visit of the Giro d'Italia last weekend. Other measures such as the retention of the 9% VAT rate, the reduction of the air travel tax to zero, and the increased air access to Ireland will also help to ensure that the targets are met.
