Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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709. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that Failte Ireland are taking to promote Christmas food markets; and the budget allocation for the promotion of these types of markets. [46722/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Fáilte Ireland is actively promoting Christmas food markets through a multifaceted strategy that integrates destination development, enterprise support and targeted marketing. Firstly, it supports the creation of saleable food experiences within tourism destinations, helping organisers bring festive food offerings to market. This is reinforced by enterprise development interventions, which enhance the operational capacity and commercial viability of market vendors.

Marketing plays a central role, particularly through the Keep Discovering campaign, which showcases seasonal attractions like Christmas markets to domestic audiences. These markets are featured on platforms such as DiscoverIreland.ie and VisitDublin.ie, and promoted via social media and curated content lists. Fáilte Ireland also provides a Keep Discovering Toolkit, offering free marketing assets to help local organisers boost visibility.

Campaigns like Winter in Dublin highlight festive events and food markets, with collaboration from local authorities and stakeholders. Markets such as Waterford’s Winterval and Cork’s Corkmas and Winterlee are integrated into national promotional efforts, aligning with broader tourism development plans. Cork’s positioning as a gastronomy hub further supports its Christmas market offerings.

Fáilte Ireland also works closely with local authorities through Destination Experience Development Plans, ensuring Christmas markets are part of sustainable tourism strategies.

These plans foster collaboration across public and private sectors to prioritise tourism projects, including festive markets. Fáilte Ireland’s approach combines strategic planning, marketing, and stakeholder engagement to elevate the profile and impact of Christmas food markets across Ireland.

It has not been possible to supply the requested budget allocation for the promotion of these types of markets as their promotion is undertaken as part of the wider marketing and destination development campaign.