Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
12. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has a strategy to ensure tourism in Ireland is more regionally balanced in terms of the entry and exit points of passengers arriving into Ireland, that is, airports and ferry ports. [16690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has been a long term tourism policy objective to ensure that all regions thrive from a tourism perspective and I am determined to continue this in the years ahead.
In relation to future regional tourism policy, I am currently progressing the development of a new Tourism Policy Framework to mainstream sustainability across the entire sector in the period to 2030. While it will aim to grow the tourism sector, the objective will be to do so in a manner consistent with our broader sustainability targets. Regional growth and season extension will be important objectives. While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed in 2023, I recently launched an online survey seeking the views of the public to help finalise the Framework. The online consultation is open until 26 April and I hope to publish the Policy Framework itself shortly afterwards.
In terms of access, I am fully aware that significant benefits are derived from facilitating direct access to the regions. Connectivity to key regional hubs is essential to support tourism, foreign direct investment and indigenous business.
Tourism Ireland’s Regional Access Programme maximises opportunities presented by new and existing regional access points, both air and sea, to deliver visitors to Ireland’s regions. The programme inspires visitors, and sustainably supports local economies and communities through stimulating increased direct bookings to regional ports and airports.
In addition, the Tourism Ireland Regional Cooperative Market Access Scheme seeks to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions. €3 million has been specifically allocated in 2024 for the scheme with matched funding from airlines, sea carriers, airports, ports and regional tourism stakeholders including local authorities. This will facilitate partnerships to drive visitors to the regions.
Fáilte Ireland is also committed to regionally balanced tourism and in 2023 launched four Regional Tourism Development Strategies for the period to 2027. The strategies outline a vision for tourism with a five year strategic framework for the sustainable development of Fáilte’s regional brands.
Finally, my colleague the Minister of Transport also supports balanced regional tourism through the Regional Airports Programme. This programme supports Ireland’s smallest airports by targeting funding at safety and security projects as well as supporting projects with a sustainable focus, encouraging airports to build climate resilience. In the 10 years since 2014, funding totalling over €141 million has been provided to regional airports under the programme.
