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

In 2021, 1.1% of Tourism Ireland's core budget was spent on research. In 2022, research will account for 2.52% of the core budget. I appreciate what he has outlined around certain areas that warrant research and a focus. A number of ad hoc projects in specialised areas are being undertaken to try to embrace opportunities for the tourism economy to recover first.

Tourism Ireland in 2022 continued to undertake the Covid tracker research programme to track travel behaviours and identify the potential opportunities and barriers on the road to recovery of tourism. It will undertake research on segmentation, which will allow it look again at an overseas holidaymaker segmentation model. It will carry out more research on sustainability as it implements the learnings from the 2021 sustainability research. It will also carry out brand and campaign testing through the year, as well as ad hocprojects to support the priorities of the organisation. As an example, Tourism Ireland undertook research on the UK Nationality and Borders Bill in March and April to help inform our position on the issue prior to meeting with key stakeholders such as the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. However, I will bring the Deputy's feedback on what he has referenced. I appreciate what he has outlined.

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