Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his particular strategy to maximise opportunities in the tourism sector in view of the challenges of Brexit and the changing international climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39084/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Since the UK referendum on EU membership, all Government departments, including my Department, have been considering the potential implications of the UK's exit from the EU. Consideration is being given to the "Brexit" challenge in the context of various fora, including Senior Officials Groups, Cabinet Committees, and other work groups.  

While there has been a significant devaluation in sterling, and a consequent negative impact on consumer confidence in the UK, all of the details of the UK's exit cannot be known until the conclusion of the EU/UK negotiations.  Of particular interest to tourism will be the implications for the border, for the Common Travel Area, for trade, and for the peace process.

With regard to tourism, expert forecasting has highlighted the strong likelihood of a significant reduction in the number of residents in Great Britain (GB) expected to travel abroad on holidays, including a reduction in the number of GB residents expected to travel to Ireland.  

My Department has been engaging with the tourism agencies on how best to plan to respond to the known implications.  Importantly, Budget 2017 retained the 9% VAT rate which has been very beneficial to the tourism sector, in order to provide stability to the industry. Additionally, Tourism Ireland recently launched its plans for overseas marketing for 2017 which include increased marketing activity in North America and Mainland Europe in order to offset the anticipated reduction in visitors from GB. Other initiatives, under the Tourism Action Plan, are either underway or in various stages of development and are aimed at growing tourism to reach ambitious targets by 2025.

Following on from the all-island civic dialogue held on 2 November my Department is continuing this consultation and is currently planning a sectoral dialogue with a theme of tourism and hospitality.