Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to ensure the future expansion of the tourism sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41841/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for the development and growth of the tourism sector in the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41842/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his proposals to increase competitiveness in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41843/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.

We have in recent years enjoyed consistent growth in numbers of overseas visitors and associated revenue earnings. Last year alone we welcomed over 8 million visitors with associated revenue of €4.9 billion, including Irish carrier receipts. While the international tourism market is becoming increasingly competitive, Ireland has consistently outperformed our competitors in terms of growing the number of overseas visitors to our shores.

It is fully recognised that current global economic factors are likely to impact on the number of outward travellers from some of our most important overseas markets. Figures for the first half of this year were up on the corresponding period of 2007 but there has been a fall-off in numbers since then. I understand that this falloff mirrors trends across Europe, where the year started positively but saw a downturn in monthly figures from May onwards.

I believe that the strategic approach taken to tourism development in recent years, by both the public and private sectors, has given the industry the capacity to withstand the cyclical external challenges and to sustain its performance in coming years.

While I know that our businesses are responding positively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. I have therefore decided to take steps to renew our strategic framework for tourism development as set out in "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003 – 2012". I will be putting in place the arrangements for this shortly and I will seek for it to be completed in the first half of next year. In the meantime, an extensive range of marketing, product development, training and business supports are being rolled out by the Tourism State Agencies under the Tourism Services budget of the Department. I am confident that the tourism sector here has the capacity to manage the current cyclical slowdown. Renewing our strategy will help the sector to manage the current challenges and to return to sustainable growth in the medium term.

In terms of our ability to compete in the international arena in the future, maintaining and enhancing competitiveness is a major issue for Irish tourism as it is for the economy as a whole. In addressing that issue, it is important to bear in mind that competitiveness is about more than price and costs. It is generally agreed that Ireland cannot and, indeed, should not attempt to compete on the basis of costs with mass tourism destinations.

The tourism agencies continue to monitor Ireland's competitiveness as a tourism destination and I am encouraging them to assist the industry in responding to changing conditions through a variety of programmes in marketing, human resource development, quality enhancement, product development and productivity.