Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the option open to him to encourage development in the tourism sector in 2009 with particular reference to competing with other tourism venues; if he will increase or enhance investment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37492/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had discussions with the tourism sector with a view to identifying and addressing the issues currently of greatest concern to the industry; if he will take particular initiatives or issue directions arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37887/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to improve competitiveness of the tourism industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37888/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action he has taken or will take to assist the tourism industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37889/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 234 to 236, inclusive, together.

Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show a reduction of 10.9% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first eight months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. As I have said previously, while any reduction in the number of overseas visitors is disappointing, it must be seen in context. Tourism worldwide saw a significant downturn in the second half of 2008 due to the global economic slowdown and loss of consumer confidence. Great Britain, as a source market, was particularly affected with the Euro/Sterling exchange rate making it extremely challenging to attract visitors to Eurozone destinations.

To assist the tourism sector through this current difficult period, an extensive range of marketing, product development, festival and sporting events, training and business supports have been rolled out by the Tourism State Agencies under the Tourism Services budget of the Department. For example, despite cutbacks in public expenditure, the core overseas marketing spend has been maintained in 2009 at over €47 million Tourism Ireland is telling customers in key markets that Ireland is easily accessible and offers great value for money at present, as well as rolling out its new destination campaign "Go Where Ireland Takes You". Earlier this month I launched a Tourism Ireland €1.5m marketing initiative for the remainder of 2009 which will focus specifically on the Great Britain market.

On the domestic front, Fáilte Ireland committed to its largest ever campaign to promote home holidays in 2009. In September, Fáilte Ireland launched an enhanced Autumn domestic tourism marketing campaign with special offers and discounts. Fáilte Ireland is also continuing to work closely with tourism businesses all over Ireland, supporting enterprises and helping them to achieve real cost savings and efficiencies.

While I know that our businesses and tourism agencies are responding positively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. Accordingly, I established the Tourism Renewal Group, which was tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy. As well as being represented on the Tourism Renewal Group itself, the tourism sector was widely consulted during the drafting phase. The Group's Report has now been published and in that regard, I refer the Deputy to my reply to the Priority Questions put by Deputies Upton and Mitchell. The Report can be accessed on my Departments website at www.dast.gov.ie.

The industry deserves great credit for its commitment to quality in responding to the current challenging economic conditions through more flexible pricing and offering special value offers and packages. I am confident that, with the support of the agencies, the tourism sector here has the capacity to manage the current cyclical slowdown and that, looking further ahead, the Renewal Group's Review will help the sector to return to sustainable growth in the medium term.