Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Tourism Industry

9:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 856: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the details of the membership of the tourism renewal group; the number of times the group has met to date; when it is due to report to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2113/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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On 2 December last, I announced the establishment of the Tourism Renewal Group. The Group met for the first time on 18 December 2008 and meets again today. I expect it to meet regularly in the coming months.

This high-level Group, comprising representatives of the tourism trade, national and international experts and senior public servants, has been tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy, set out in "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012", in order to ensure that this strategy is focused for the short term and that the tourist industry is well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes. A key element of this work will be engaging with the tourism industry partners and wider interest groups.

The full membership of the Tourism Renewal Group is as follows:

Chair: Mr Maurice Pratt, businessman;

Dr Mary Coveney, Manager, Industry Affairs, Dublin Airport Authority;

Mr Alain Dupeyras, Head of the Tourism Programme, OECD;

Mr Matthew Ryan, President of the Irish Hotels Federation;

Mr Noel Sweeney, Managing Director, TCC — Tourism & Transport Consult International;

Mr Rossa White, Chief Economist, Davy Stockbrokers;

Mr Paul O'Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland;

Mr Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland;

Mr Paul Bates, Assistant Secretary, Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism.

I have asked the Tourism Renewal Group to report back to me by the middle of 2009, following its considerations, with recommendations in the form of a Framework for Action for the period to 2013. The press releases associated with the appointment of the Group and its first meeting are available on my Department's website http://www.dast.gov.ie.

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