Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising this issue. I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin.

I should clarify the respective roles of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and its agency Fáilte Ireland in respect of national tourism development. The Department's role lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies in implementing that policy. In line with its tourism development remit, Fáilte Ireland is responsible for developing and promoting the tourism potential of the various counties and regions around the country.

The operation of tourism information offices is a matter for Fáilte Ireland. Historically, Fáilte Ireland has provided tourism information to visitors mainly through a network of fixed buildings known as tourism information centres. Pre-Covid, Fáilte Ireland had commenced a review of how it shares tourism information nationwide with visitors, both online and in person. The review identified a need and an opportunity for Fáilte Ireland to introduce a new and comprehensive plan in response to changing consumer behaviours, digital trends and declining visitor numbers to tourism information offices. In transforming how it distributes tourism information to visitors, Fáilte Ireland's new plan is responding to the global digital demand.

Expanding the reach of Fáilte Ireland's tourism information in Sligo will directly boost the local economy and opportunities for all local businesses. Some 85% of visitors to the tourism information centre in Sligo are international, with the majority of the footfall during the busy four-month summer season from June to September. Therefore, a decision was taken to operate the tourism information centre in Sligo seasonally, from June to September, from 2022. The new plan focuses on expanding the range of tourism information. This will be done through maximising local digital information and resources on discoverireland.ieand installing a number of local high-impact tourism information kiosks in a number of high-footfall Sligo locations, including Mammy Johnston's, Strandhill, and Johnston Court Shopping Centre. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, understands that discussions are ongoing with Sligo County Council and industry stakeholders on additional tourism information kiosks. A significant map distribution network will also be established, with an unprecedented countrywide reach, in addition to a call centre, which will be operational seven days a week.

In 2022 Fáilte Ireland will also relaunch a successful local experts programme, including the Sligo local experts programme. This programme empowers front-line tourism and hospitality staff to promote their local areas to visitors. There will also be a significantly enhanced web presence for Sligo town and County Sligo, with 319 attractions, activities and places currently listed on discoverireland.ie. This content is managed by Fáilte Ireland's tourism information centre staff.

Investment in tourism in County Sligo is at an all-time high, from private investors to public investment by Fáilte Ireland and other agencies in a new surf centre in Strandhill and beach facilities at Rosses Point and Inniscrone. This investment in Sligo will significantly enhance the overall visitor experience and provide new business opportunities in the local community.

I will bring the points Deputy MacSharry has raised to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, after the debate.

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