Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 November 2003

Report of Tourism Policy Review Group: Statements.

 

As I said, the report is honest and open. Perhaps we also have to be rather more honest in terms of revisiting the core appeal of people, pace and place. I find from my own travels abroad, particularly among the Irish overseas community, that there is a growing sense of embarrassment for them when they return to Ireland. Our returning emigrants are, after all, a major part of our tourism industry. Very often, the embarrassment to which I refer does not relate to infrastructure, which has made huge strides forward. The funds we obtained from Europe have been used very well. However, areas such as anti-social behaviour, as highlighted in an infamous – or famous –"Prime Time" programme, are causing very serious worries, not just for Irish people returning but also for tourists in general. Their perception of Ireland previously did not embrace that anti-social concept. Perhaps that is a warning that we should focus rather more on that which is natural to us and has proved to be one of our big attractions.

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