THE Irish tourism industry has achieved record breaking levels of success over the past two years. Overseas visitors last year totalled 4.6 million with a value to the economy of £1.45 billion.
This year's performance is expected to be even better, with more than five million visitors expected and up to 110,000 people employed in the industry. All the available statistics predict that tourism will be our biggest industry by the end of the century.
In his recent article Fianna Fail's David Andrews sought to criticise this Government's action to promote tourism. Perhaps Mr Andrews has not been paying much attention. Indeed, he has been largely silent on developments in this sector.
In his article the deputy clearly demonstrated that he is out of touch with current policies. Many of his comments are factually inaccurate.
Let me refresh Mr Andrews on just some of the recent initiatives taken by my Department.
Bord Failte was completely restructured in 1995 to create a newly focused and more dynamic organisation to market Irish tourism worldwide aggressively and professionally in close partnership with the industry. The restructuring has involved outsourcing the inspection of tourism accommodation, although Bord Failte will continue to set high standards. A new, highly motivated chairman, Mark Mortell, was appointed to oversee the completion of this new approach.
A new Tourism Council, representative of the industry and chaired by myself as the Minister responsible, has been appointed to operate for a two year term from April 1996.
More recently, in November of last year a new Tourism Brand Ireland for the world market was launched. It is far more than a new logo. For the first time ever, all of Irish tourism, both North and South, will be able to unify behind a new, dynamic and exciting marketing initiative to present a modern image for Irish tourism.
Much of the necessary grant aid for these and other developments is coming from the Operational Programme for Tourism. Expenditure to date is very satisfactory at £224 million, which includes EU assistance of £106 million. Mr Andrews is critical of the lack of any Government investment. I will cite just two examples.
In 1995, and again in 1996, the Government allocated a total of £1 million for a new home holiday initiative, with industry co financing, to encourage greater marketing of home holidays, particularly in the off peak season.
Secondly, 15 areas, at least one in each maritime county, are now covered by the three year pilot tax relief scheme for certain resort areas introduced in 1995. These tax incentives are aimed at improving accommodation and other tourism facilities to meet the demands of the modern holiday maker.
Mr Andrews claims "budget and youth tourism" is being neglected. In a Dail reply I explained that the development of niche markets, such as budget tourism, is a priority of the operational programme. Bord Failte has been instrumental in establishing product marketing groups which include those involved in cycling and walking promotion.
MR Andrews again returned to an old favourite stomping ground, the proposed national conference centre. He goes so far as to say that "the Government has been unable to decide even on a location." This is totally incorrect.
The idea of such a centre was first proposed under a Fianna Fail led Government in the first operational programme (1989-1993), but no progress whatever was achieved. The developments under the current Government have been well documented in the national press. A number of propositions were considered following an open tendering system by the private sector. As none of the applicants met the criteria which had been set down, that competition was terminated.
An alternative strategy was then pursued, whereby Bord Failte, under the aegis of an independent management board, examined an outline proposal from the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which, as a voluntary body, is potentially eligible for consideration for a higher rate of capital grant assistance. An independent cost/benefit analysis was undertaken, following which the Government agreed to make a submission to the European Commission, recommending formal approval of the proposed development by the RDS. The Commission's formal agreement is currently awaited.
Mr Andrews also proposes that there be a separate Department of Tourism. Within the past few weeks, Fianna Fail, in a much hyped launch, promised the creation of a Department of Tourism and Sport in a document entitled "Taking the Lead". Are we now to take it, in the light of Mr Andrews's comments, that Fianna Fail has already abandoned this policy within a matter of weeks, or is he simply engaging in one of his solo runs?
There are clearly challenges ahead for the continued growth of the tourism sector. Let me categorically assure all concerned that this Government will continue its fundamental role with all sectors of the industry to see that these challenges are met and that this area of our economy continues to thrive.
