Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. In 2011, Ireland was voted favourite holiday destination in the world by readers of Frommer's Guide. Lonely Planet listed Ireland as the world's friendliest country and the Irish Tourist Board's website, Discoverireland.com, as being the best tourist board website in the world. A ten-year review of the Irish tourism industry in 2003 anticipated that 10 million visitors would visit Ireland on an annual basis by 2014. The Northern Assembly aims to increase visitor numbers to that part of Ireland to 4.2 million and grow tourist revenue to €676 million by December 2014 and €1 billion by 2020. These are ambitious targets which can be further developed with the correct all-Ireland approach. Clearly, tourism makes a huge contribution to the economy. However, we have a problem with attracting repeat visitors. Does the Minister consider there are enough tourist attractions on the island? I think it would be beneficial if the Minister was to meet on a regular basis with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Does he plan to have any such meetings?

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