Written Answers Nos. 183-188
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how he is enhancing this country's position as an international conference venue with obvious benefit to the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45634/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland in the first instance, working with Tourism Ireland, which promotes the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas including through its network of overseas offices.
I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland and, in relation to activities in overseas markets, Tourism Ireland, for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if replies are not received within ten working days.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists who have visited this country in each of the past five years to date; the degree to which he has identified the future growth opportunities for all segments of the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45635/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile overall responsibility for publication of statistics lies with the Central Statistics Office, according to the CSO, the number of visits to Ireland for each of the past 5 years were as follows:
2010=6,037,100; 2011=6,505,200; 2012=6,517,200; 2013=6,985,900 and 2014=7,604,400.
Latest official data on overseas travel from the CSO shows an increase of 12.8% in overseas visits to Ireland for the first ten months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.
The Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" was launched in March of this year. It acknowledges that generating increased levels of overseas revenue is key for the future of Irish tourism. The main targets contained in the Tourism Policy Statement, to be achieved by 2025, are as follows:
- Overseas tourism revenue to increase to €5 billion net of inflation, compared to €3.5 billion in 2014;
- Overseas visits to Ireland to increase to ten million, compared to 7.6 million in 2014; and
- 250,000 people to be employed in the tourism sector, compared to 205,000 at present.
Earlier this year, I appointed a Tourism Leadership Group, to put in place a Tourism Action Plan that will set out the actions required in the period to 2018 to achieve the overall objectives in "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025" and ensure the strong growth experienced in recent years continues. I intend to publish the Tourism Action Plan in the first quarter of 2016.
185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if adequate hotel accommodation is available in all regions; with a view to ensuring the ability of the sector to cater for the growing needs of tourists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45636/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to Fáilte Ireland's most recent accommodation occupancy statistics, for January to September 2015, hotel room occupancy in Dublin stood at 77%, whereas hotel occupancy in the rest of Ireland was 67%.
These statistics indicate that the country as a whole has sufficient stock of hotel accommodation to meet the needs of the industry. However, analysis of recent trends in occupancy levels and the impact of increasing demand indicates that we will require additional capacity in some parts of the country - in particular Dublin City Centre. Failure to address such capacity constraints could impact negatively on targets in the "Destination Dublin" strategy and in the Tourism Policy Statement, "People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025".
To broaden our understanding of the situation and inform consideration of appropriate responses, Fáilte Ireland recently commissioned an independent assessment of the potential supply of visitor accommodation in Dublin up to 2020 and I am informed that the report is being finalised.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which particular segments of tourism continue to be addressed with a view to ensuring that this country remains an attractive location for the entire tourism strata. [45637/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which this country can be marketed abroad to host major sporting events with consequent benefit to the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which this country can be marketed abroad as a suitable location for activity recreational tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45639/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.
Research that has been carried out on behalf of the tourism agencies and tourism industry has found that certain market segments have a higher likelihood to select Ireland as a destination. These are categorised as follows:
- “Culturally Curious”: Travellers in the over 45 age group taking a holiday with their partner, who wish to expand their experience by exploring new landscapes, history and culture.
- “Great Escapers”: These tend to be younger and are specifically interested in rural holidays. Great Escapers are on holiday to take time out, and experience nature at close range.
- “Social Energisers”: Younger visitors who like to holiday in groups or as couples. They may be friends or colleagues looking for an exciting trip to a new and vibrant destination.
Tourism Ireland's overseas marketing activity is weighted towards these segments in order to provide the best return on marketing investment.
With regard to the marketing of Ireland as a destination for major sporting events or activity recreational tourism, these are operational matters for the tourism agencies Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and I have no role or function in this regard. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
