Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2018
43. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department is taking to mitigate the impacts of Brexit on the tourism sector; the steps he is taking to address the drop in UK visitor numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts to ease the impact of Brexit on the tourism industry. [7526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 84 together.
I welcome the overall growth in visit numbers to Ireland in 2017. However, the decline in the numbers visiting from Great Britain remains a concern. The fall in the value of sterling against the euro following the Brexit vote in the UK has been the primary factor in this.
Tourism Ireland has a programme of marketing activity in place for 2018 to ensure Ireland is marketed appropriately with potential visitors from Britain. That marketing effort will continue throughout the year. In addition, Minister Griffin recently joined Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to launch an initiative, specially designed to boost tourist numbers from Britain to the Wild Atlantic Way. A €1.35 million marketing campaign in Britain will be complemented by a Fáilte Ireland €500,000 programme to support businesses along the Wild Atlantic Way to position themselves to benefit from the campaign, as well as to boost its own marketing campaigns in Northern Ireland.
Additionally, Fáilte Ireland’s 'Get Brexit Ready' programme offers a suite of industry supports, designed to help businesses meet specific Brexit-related challenges. The programme allows individual businesses to self-assess their exposures and risks and provides a range of interventions to match their needs.
Finally, in Budget 2018 €2m in capital funding was secured for Tourism Ireland to invest in strengthening its digital infrastructure, deepening its understanding of the all-important overseas consumer and developing new creative content. This will give Ireland real stand-out and inspire and motivate people across the world to visit Ireland.
