George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

49. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the ongoing geopolitical instability, if consideration will be given to significantly increasing funding for tourism agencies to enhance their efforts in promoting Ireland as a safe, secure, and stable travel destination on the global stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50736/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government recognises the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape across the world and the threats and challenges this entails.

The recently published Government Action Plan on Market Diversification represents one strand of a coherent Government response to global economic uncertainty, including the measures being taken to drive competitiveness and productivity and the investment in national infrastructure outlined in the new National Development Plan.

My role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

By continuing to support the tourism agencies, the Government seeks to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality, accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors. In comparative international terms, Ireland is perceived as a safe, secure and stable travel destination and the warmth of the welcome remains a key strength in the Ireland visitor experience.

Throughout 2025, Tourism Ireland as the agency with responsibility for the overseas marketing of the island of Ireland, is investing in an extensive and targeted programme of activity across 14+ overseas source markets. Its overseas missions will deliver campaigns with a reach of over 1billion, publicity opportunities with a reach of over 1.6billion, and 30,000+ business-to-business meetings for tourism partners overseas in 2025 with a renewed focus on Business Events, luxury travel and adventure travel.

In line with the Action Plan for Market Diversification, Tourism Ireland is focused on supporting new opportunities to support the businesses and communities that depend on overseas tourism. The agency is conscious of the need to diversify from a potential over-reliance on certain markets and in terms of diversification, Tourism Ireland is proposing a number of key focus areas building on the robust current strategy that has driven proven results and grown inbound tourism to the island to €6.9 billion in 2024.

Requests for additional funding for the tourism sector by my Department will take place as part of the normal procedural aspects in the Government Estimates process.