Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

More than 300,000 Chinese tourists visited New Zealand last year. New Zealand has a population pretty much the same as that of Ireland but it is actually farther from China than Ireland. However, there are direct flights.

In light of the strong ties between Shannon Airport and senior political figures in China, should we not now try to build upon that and bring high-spending Chinese tourists to Ireland? On average, each Chinese tourist in New Zealand spends approximately €2,600.

Specifically, what measures are being put in place to make available funds and a marketing budget to attract an airline to fly directly between China and Shannon? This would allow access to the western seaboard and the midlands, where there is considerable potential to develop tourism.

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