The tourist of the future will be more discerning and security conscious with a higher level of disposable income, a EU tourism conference in Dublin heard today.
Delegates from 25 countries at Dublin Castle for the Fáilte Ireland EU Tourism Conference were told European destinations and individual tourism enterprises would need to become more competitive if they wanted to attract the new tourist.
Speaking at the "Charting Tourism Success" conference, the Minister for Tourism, Mr John O'Donoghue, said there were growing concerns that value for money in Ireland was having an impact on its attractiveness as a tourist destination.
"Central to the future success of Irish tourism will be a recovery of the competitiveness that has been lost in recent years and a strengthened capability to respond with flexibility and agility to changes in the market place," he said.
Economist Dr Egon Smeral of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research said Ireland would have a challenge in providing greater direct access to more parts of the country, allowing time-pressed visitors to engage immediately with the authentic "experience" they seek here.
He also described how by 2010, the travel market for the 50-plus age group in the current 15 EU member states will be in excess of 140 million.
Dr Smeral said the new senior citizens will be healthier than before and will be seeking quality, security and convenience in their destinations. He predicted increased demand for domestic trips in familiar and near destinations.
Fáilte Ireland chief executive Mr Shaun Quinn said although the trend towards last-minute Internet bookings would complicate forecasting volume and demand, it would have to be embraced to ensure the growth of the tourism industry.