Seanad debates

Wednesday, 13 November 2002

Tourism Industry: Statements (Resumed).

 

There has been a feeling in the industry that this year would show a decline in visitor numbers. Early indications, though not confirmed, suggest this is not the case. The American market is down, though it has fallen not, as was feared, by up to 20% but by 10%. If confirmed, that performance is particularly good. The British market has performed spectacularly well in view of the backdrop to the season and will show an improvement of 6%, which is significant as well over half of our visitors come from there. A 6% increase means an extra 250,000 visitors, up from 4.35 million to 4.6 million. Indications are that the continent has performed relatively well with our share of the market increasing by 3% and when the drop in American figures is accounted for, it is anticipated that the number of visitors entering the country in 2002 will have increased by around 3%. Confirmation of these figures will illustrate beyond any doubt, the resilience of the industry and its vast potential for growth.

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