Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to evaluate the potential of the tourism sector with particular reference to the need to ensure the ready availability of adequate hotel bed accommodation in all parts of the country with particular reference to areas deemed to be deficient in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33039/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of the potential of tourism, a series of actions are being implementing through the Tourism Action Plan in order to deliver the targets set out in the Tourism Policy Statement for 2025 of €5 billion in overseas tourism revenue, sustaining 250,000 jobs, from 10 million overseas visits annually.
As regards hotel capacity, Fáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation through regular occupancy surveys. This analysis indicates that while the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation, there are capacity constraints in areas of high tourist traffic at times of peak demand and additional capacity is required in certain parts of the country, particularly Dublin City Centre. In this context, last year Fáilte Ireland commissioned an assessment of the supply and demand for hotel accommodation in Dublin. This study is currently being updated but it found that although there is sufficient room stock in the planning process, the bulk of it will not come on stream until after 2018. In order to assist in the delivery of that planned stock and encourage new developments, I am currently engaged in a number of meetings with stakeholders in the accommodation area to assess what, if any, blockages there are to the provision of further accommodation.
Furthermore, in response to consumer preferences and in order to boost the economic rationale for investment in hotel development, Fáilte Ireland's revised Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016 came into operation on 1 August 2016. The changes should make investment more attractive by allowing hotel operators provide more rooms per square metre and thereby operate at a lower cost base, therefore improving hotel capacity, competitiveness and profitability. Consumers will also benefit in terms of increased competition, more choice, better quality and prices.
