Written answers

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Tourism Promotion

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, having regard to the difficulties experienced in the tourism sector in the past 12 months, it is intended to take specific measures which might have the effect of rejuvenating the industry in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2406/09]

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will take action on foot of the issues cited in the Central Statistics Office's Tourism Trends 2007 report as disadvantages to holidays here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2316/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 134 together.

At the end of last year, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published its thematic report "Tourism Trends 2007", which brings together tourism statistics from a variety of sources to provide a useful reference source to those interested in the tourism sector. This report shows clearly the progress of tourism in recent years, highlighting the exceptional performance in 2007. The number of overseas trips to Ireland grew by 27% to 8,012,000 between 2000 and 2007. Half of all trips were for holiday purposes and total earnings from all visitors in 2007 were €4,902 million. The Irish people and scenery were cited as the most frequently mentioned advantages of Ireland as a holiday destination between 2002 and 2007.

The Deputy will be aware that our tourism strategy framework, "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012" addresses these issues, among others. One of my priorities as Minister is to ensure that the tourism agenda is accommodated in all the relevant policies and programmes that impact on tourism. This is being put into practice on an ongoing basis by my Department and the tourism agencies through engagement with the relevant Departments and agencies on their policies and programmes.

The latest tourism figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that despite a challenging global environment, Ireland's visitor numbers overall have held up well, making a vital contribution to employment, export earnings and tax receipts in our economy. The 2009 business plans for the key tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, are designed to support the marketing of Irish tourism, to improve our product offerings and to help improve business capability. These are being supported by the positive response of the tourism sector at enterprise level to the challenges we face.

While I know that our businesses and tourism agencies are responding constructively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. Accordingly, I have recently established the Tourism Renewal Group, which has been tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy, set out in the "New Horizons" report, 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.

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. I am confident that, in partnership with the sector, we can plan for current and future challenges and take appropriate action to meet them, thereby ensuring that Irish tourism continues on a path of sustainable growth over the medium term.

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