Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

827. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to build on the legacy of the Gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8121/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

844. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which consideration is being given to using the success of The Gathering as template for expansion of the tourism industry in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 827 and 844 together.

The total number of overseas visits to Ireland grew by 7.2% in 2013. Research by the Gathering project team indicates that 250-275,000 of the additional overseas visitors to Ireland travelled because of The Gathering, and these visitors were worth an estimated €170 million in revenue. My aim is to maintain the positive momentum that was created by The Gathering and ensure that we grow tourism numbers again this year. There are a number of positive indications in this regard. For example, all of the increased air capacity secured for the year of The Gathering has been retained for 2014, with a number of new additional routes also confirmed, and sea capacity has also increased this year. Other legacy benefits include the opportunity to repeat some of the events that were initiated in 2013.

The experience gained by using the community activation process, including town hall meetings and the Volunteer Ambassador programme, has provided many lessons which could be applied in future national or regional projects. The Gathering was also highly successful in terms of using local authorities to set up a framework for mobilising communities and local organisation of events. For example, Fáilte Ireland are using actively engaging communities to maximise the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way. Furthermore The Gathering increased the number of potential market contacts at both individual and group level and this information will help support future tourism marketing and promotions. On a broader level, I anticipate the experience gained in many of these areas will be highlighted in the Tourism Policy Review which I am currently undertaking. I hope to publish the new policy statement by Easter.