Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together.

I am currently progressing the development of a new Tourism Policy Framework to mainstream sustainability across the entire sector in the period to 2030. While it will aim to grow the tourism sector, the objective will be to do so in a manner consistent with our broader sustainability targets. Regional growth and season extension will be important objectives. While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed in 2023, I recently launched an online survey seeking the views of the public to help finalise the Framework. The online consultation is open until 26 April and I hope to publish the Policy Framework itself shortly afterwards.

2024 offers significant opportunity for overseas tourism. Ireland has a great product, a committed tourism industry and there are excellent relationships in place with travel trade partners across the world.

There will be a continued capital investment programme including progressing EU Just Transition Funding to deliver a transformative Regenerative Tourism Scheme for the Midlands. The scheme aims to transform tourism across the 8 qualifying counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat. This will be delivered by Fáilte Ireland and marks the beginning of the regenerative tourism development journey in Ireland, as we work towards a low carbon economy.

Other initiatives being driven by my Department include an all-island tourism brand collaboration project in the North West supported by a Shared Island funding allocation of €7.6 million out to 2025. The vision of the project is to connect the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in such a way that the visitor is motivated to stay longer and spend more thereby bringing greater economic benefit to the region. A Project Team, including representatives from my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, was established in 2023. I look forward to the delivery of this project and the opportunity to explore other North South tourism initiatives that can enhance further North South cooperation and our all island tourism offering.

Tourism Ireland’s publicity activity in 2024 will include the expansion of the ‘Fill your heart with Ireland’ campaign with enhanced Wild Atlantic Way content in support of its 10th anniversary and a continued focus on regional and seasonal messaging to increase tourism revenue across the regions and throughout the seasons.

It is Fáilte Ireland’s long-term objective to ensure a greater regional spread of the socio-economic benefits of tourism. At the heart of Fáilte Ireland’s work to develop the spatial spread of tourism are four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, celebrating it’s 10th year- Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands; Ireland’s Ancient East; and Dublin.

For each brand, Fáilte Ireland have developed a Regional Tourism Development Strategy in partnership with local authorities, state agencies, communities and industry partners. Fáilte Ireland have painstakingly developed these strategies to ensure the focus on tourism development is sustainable and regenerative and that the benefits accrue to local communities and to nature.

I will continue to advocate and work for the tourism sector including engaging with my Government colleagues to address the challenges which the sector faces as well as making the most of the opportunities which Government support and investment can bring to the sector.