Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 26: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department or any of the agencies within the remit of his Department will have a role in attracting conference business to the National Conference Centre; if efforts are being made to attract tourism related conferences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, it is a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of tourism traffic within and to the state and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. Accordingly, my Department has no direct role in attracting business to the new National Conference Centre, to be known as the Convention Centre, Dublin (CCD).

However, I understand that, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Dublin Convention Bureau are working closely with the operators in marketing the Centre to secure bookings. The Convention Centre Dublin is well advanced and on schedule to open in September 2010. Already there are 24 confirmed events that are expected to have a significant impact on tourism business.

In the overall context of business tourism, the Business Tourism section of Fáilte Ireland, working with Tourism Ireland and industry partners through the Business Tourism Forum, is implementing co-ordinated marketing strategies to grow high yield conference and incentive business from key overseas source markets.

Fáilte Ireland also provides distinct supports for the business tourism sector, aimed at developing and growing the business tourism visitor market. In this regard, they target conferences of between 100 and 6,000 delegates. Fáilte Ireland also run the Association Conference Programme, a support programme for potential conference ambassadors who may avail of professional help in organising their conference. In 2008, Fáilte Ireland supported 89 conferences through conference support. These conferences brought estimated revenue of €32 million into the Irish economy.

Fáilte Ireland also supports the incentive and corporate meeting segment. The Irish trade, i.e. hotels and destination management companies, receive support to attend international trade shows. These events are forums for the trade to meet with key potential buyers from international markets.

Fáilte Ireland has created a dedicated business tourism brand and website, www.irelandinspires.com . This new brand underpins all Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland's marketing communications, thus ensuring Ireland's competitive advantage is clearly and succinctly communicated to our international audiences.