Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department's role in tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies in implementing that policy. With specific regard to research and development of our tourism product, this is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland as the national tourism development authority. With regard to expenditure on research and development, Fáilte Ireland has advised that in 2021 it spent a total of €2.6 million on research relating to consumer planning and insights and on economic and industry analysis. Informed by the results of this research, Fáilte Ireland takes a strategic and insights-based approach to its investment in tourism product development in line with its tourism investment strategy 2016 to 2022, which sets out the overall framework for capital investment in tourism infrastructure to stimulate innovation and improve international competitiveness. This investment also aligns with the national objectives laid out in Project Ireland 2040 and the provision in the national development plan 2021 to 2030, NDP, for the delivery of enhanced amenity through capital investment in tourism product development and enhancement, with a particular focus on tourist attractions and activity-based tourism to provide the type and quality of experience that visitors are seeking.

Fáilte Ireland’s capital funding programme comprises a large grants scheme, that is now under the platforms for growth investment programme, which targets project categories that have the greatest potential to grow and support sustainable tourism. It also includes individual grant schemes, strategic partnerships with other bodies and direct investment in experience brand infrastructure. Its objective is to optimise key assets for the benefit of tourism and sustainable economic development while also increasing the geographic spread of visitors, promoting season extension and supporting sustainable growth management. At regional and local level, Fáilte Ireland develops, supports and promotes tourism in line with the relevant tourism experience brands, which provide the overarching context for related product development, marketing and enterprise supports. Looking to the future, officials in my Department have commenced the development of a new national tourism policy. This will provide an updated policy context for future tourism product development.

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