Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My colleague and friend, Senator O'Sullivan, mentioned in his opening sentence that tourism is a great news story and I agree with him. Tourism figures for last year surpassed all figures for the previous six to seven years. As has been mentioned already, The Gathering was a wonderful success and contributed to the increased number of visitors. A total of 3,300 communities took part in the success with festivals and home gatherings. We were concerned that our figures would drop the year after The Gathering but I am happy to relate that Irish tourism is enjoying another excellent year, as the Minister has stated. Our people, places and policies are delivering an exceptional experience for overseas visitors. The friendliness of our people, the natural beauty of our island, our history, heritage and craic, and the determination of the Minister and the Government to ensure value for money for visitors have certainly contributed.

Since its formation three years and nine months ago, this Government has recognised that tourism would play a significant role in the economic recovery of this country and it has surely played such a role. As the Minister mentioned, VAT has been reduced from 13% to 9% and this policy will continue next year. Air travel tax was reduced to zero in last year's budget. These are major contributions.

Several airlines increased the number of flights to Great Britain, mainland Europe, regional airports, the United States and Canada, to where some are now offering daily flights. Employment in the sector increased by 17,300 jobs last year and further jobs have been created this year. The Minister has noted that the number of 5.9 million people who visited in the first nine months of the year represents a significant increase of 9.3%. In the period from July to September the number of overseas visitors increased by 7.9%. In the period from January to September the number of visitors from mainland Europe increased by 7.4%, US visitor numbers increased by 13.9%, while the number from Great Britain increased by 8.9% compared to the same period last year. There were 370,000 long haul travellers and visitors from developing markets during the same period, an increase of 10.8%. These visitors came from the far East, including China, Japan, Australia and other far flung places. The Government's objective for the tourism sector is to increase revenue from overseas visitors to €5 billion per annum up to 2025 and increase the number of jobs by 50,000 in the same period.

The Wild Atlantic Way, a Bord Fáilte initiative, undoubtedly, increased visitor numbers to the west. I understand Fáilte Ireland is developing a similar tourism proposition for counties in the east, south east and midlands. I would like this initiative to be extended to the north east because at times the north east and the Border region are forgotten as far as tourism is concerned. The Minister referred to Viking Waterford, mediaeval Kilkenny and Brú na Boinne. I live in a mediaeval town comparable to any other mediaeval town in Europe. It was a walled town and, like Carcassone in France, part of the wall remains today as a wonderful tourist attraction. Work is progressing on the project which will be launched early next year. It will help to increase the number of tourists visiting the counties involved which will I hope will include my own county of Louth.

The new British-Irish visa waiver scheme has been a tremendous success and I have no doubt it will enhance tourist numbers from the countries concerned. I am sure the growth in visitor numbers from the United States, Great Britain and mainland Europe will continue next year and for many years to come. The decision by the Government to retain the 9% VAT rate will allow us to offer good value, high quality holidays. However, we need to avoid complacency and remain focused. More importantly, we must remain competitive. I concur with my colleagues on the benches opposite that it is difficult to comprehend why hotel prices in Dublin increase by as much as 500% or 600% for certain events. If the local grocer and barber increased their prices from €15 to €75, they would not have many customers. This is a problem for the country. I have investigated the situation in Paris and Rome. It also happens in these cities, but that does not mean that it is other than extortion or that it is right.

The Government will use every opportunity to identify further growth potential to ensure the tourism sector provides additional revenue and, more importantly, jobs. In my youth fishing was a major tourism attraction in this country. I served hundreds of visitors from Great Britain in a local pub in Carlingford and there is potential for balanced regional development in this regard. All locations are unique and, as such, can offer something special to the discerning visitor. There is a world market for fishing tourism. The lakes of counties Monaghan and Cavan are underdeveloped and there are opportunities in this regard for both counties. The Ulster Canal could enhance the tourism industry in counties Fermanagh, Monaghan and Cavan.

I cannot conclude without mentioning the many volunteers who make a significant contribution to tourism in the country. I refer to the tidy towns and villages and those who take pride in showing them off to visitors. They make a major contribution as visitors like to see well maintained towns and villages. Last Monday I observed a Tidy Towns committee planting winter flowers and greenery in conditions that were so cold one would not believe it. I thank all of those involved in the voluntary sector. I call for balanced regional development because all areas are unique and deserve their slice of the tourism cake. I congratulate the Minister on what he is doing. He has a great passion for the sector.