The tourism industry has urged the Government to invest €1 billion in the sector as part of the next National Development Plan.
In a submission, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) said if Ireland is to reach the Government's target of 10 million overseas visitors and €6 billion in earnings by 2012, a "step change" is needed in tourism performance.
The body proposes that €1 billion of the next NDP be spent on international marketing, product development, human resource development and a national conference centre to reach the target.
The confederation also proposed that a regional conference and exhibition centre in the Shannon-Limerick area be developed. This development would "both underpin the future of the airport and would provide a major hub for the economic development of a region which has experienced difficult conditions in tourism markets since 1999," it said.
ITIC chairwoman Catherine Reilly said: "Government has done well from tourism and has the potential to do even better. But . . . much remains to be done on the investment side if the industry is to make its optimal contribution to Irish economic and social development."
According to the confederation, more than six million overseas visitors are attracted annually, contributing over €4 million to the Irish economy. The ITIC claims these figures can be improved upon and that the tourism industry has strong prospects for substantial growth.
The next National Development plan runs from 2007 to 2013.