Written answers

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Tourism Promotion

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to enhance our competitiveness to British holidaymakers and leisure travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15249/13]

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will use the tourism marketing fund to support international marketing and advertising programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15259/13]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continued relative decline in overseas visitors from Britain in comparison to other locations; if there is need for a reconsideration of the overseas marketing activities of our tourism agencies to focus to a greater extent on those markets where there has been considerable growth in the past number of years instead of Britain; if he supports the development of a cross-border lighthouse tourism trail in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/13]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he intends to respond to the official data which indicates that overseas visitors to the Republic of Ireland were flat for 2012 when compared with 2011; his plans to ensure growth as opposed to a flattening out or deterioration in the number of overseas visitors for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/13]

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continued relative decline in overseas visitors from Britain in comparison to other locations; if there is need for a reconsideration of the overseas marketing activities of our tourism agencies to focus to a greater extent on those markets where there has been considerable growth in the past number of years instead of Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15033/13]

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Germany is the third largest source of overseas visitors to Ireland, his plans to develop this lucrative market; if he will inform Dáil Éireann of the lessons that have been learned from this success which could potentially be applied to other European markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/13]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to make it easier for visitors to travel between Britain and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15269/13]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 13, 22, 45, 49, 61 and 82 together.

These Questions are about tourism promotion.

According to CSO figures, there were just over 6.5 million overseas visits to Ireland last year, up slightly on 2011, while spending by overseas visitors was up 4.5% to nearly €3.7 billion. Visits from the higher spending Mainland Europe, North America and long haul markets all registered growth, while visits from Britain were down 3.6%. However, our next most important European market, Germany, produced over 448,000 visits, an increase of 6% on 2011, while North America, our second most important market overall, grew 3% to over a million visits while spend grew 9% to €742 million.

Tourism Ireland's Business Plan for 2013 targets a further 5.2% growth in visits, from all of our significant markets including Great Britain and Germany, and highlights the potential impact of the Gathering Ireland 2013. It is important to focus on markets with best prospects for growth but it is necessary to balance this and not ignore opportunities in other markets, particularly one as significant as Britain. To help achieve the targets, I have allocated over €37 million this year for overseas tourism marketing which allows Tourism Ireland to implement its Plan, as well as funding Fáilte Ireland's enterprise supports and product development. These actions, along with continued implementation of other measures such as the lower VAT rate for tourism services, provide a platform on which the tourism industry, in partnership with the agencies, can deliver growth.

With regard to Britain, I welcomed the report of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, entitled "GB Path to Growth", and its recommendations for restoring growth from Britain which are reflected in the 2013 plans of the tourism agencies.  For example, Tourism Ireland is refining its approach to targeting potential visitors receptive to the experiences that Ireland can offer, and is conducting an extensive promotional programme this year in Britain.

More generally, the balance of marketing spend across markets is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland, acting in accordance with Business Plans and Corporate Plans approved by the North/South Ministerial Council.  However, the opportunities presented by the different markets, I believe, need to be factored into not only their plans but the plans of tourism enterprises and Fáilte Ireland and I believe it is a matter that should be considered in the course of the tourism policy review which my Department is to commence this year.

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