TOURISM - THE KEY ISSUES FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) calls on you as a candidate in the Local Elections on 11th June 1999, to address the many serious issues that are essential for the sustainability and growth of tourism, Ireland's largest non-subsidised industry.

Over 125,000 voters in the local elections directly depend on tourism for their livelihoods. The IHF asks you to support this large section of your electorate by ensuring that policies, at local Government level, are supportive and do not hinder the tourism business.

Over 5 million people visited our country last year contributing £1.3 billion to the economy - it is imperative that current issues that could impact negatively on Ireland's tourism success are addressed. You, as a candidate, have the influence to assist in ensuring our continued tourism success.

The IHF calls on all candidates in the Local Elections to commit themselves to the following:

  • Ensure that tourism receives top priority in all Local Government considerations.
  • Tourism should be granted a specific seat in all strategic management committees of Local Authorities.
  • All commercial providers of tourism accommodation should be subject to Local Authority planning, hygiene and fire safety requirements. All providers should be equally liable for Local Authority rates.
  • Strict enforcement of litter control legislation and the provision of litter collection and removal facilities must become a top priority for each Local Authority.
  • Traffic management systems must be enforced in all areas of traffic congestion. Additional public transport, including sufficient taxis should to be available in all urban areas.
  • Top quality sign posting should be in place on all roads. Confusion by dual distance indications kilometres/miles must be eliminated. Firm planning controls should be enforced for the placing of all signage. Unlisted or unapproved accommodation providers should not be allowed to erect road signs.
  • The 1994 Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations that exempts private house owners from obligation to seek the change of use of their home to B & Bs should be repealed. It is inequitable and gives no regard to minimum standards of quality and safety being in place.
  • Local Authority representatives on Regional Tourism Authorities should have a tourism background or at a minimum, be fully briefed by local tourism interests including their local branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.

TOURISM - THE FUTURE

TOURISM IN IRELAND - THE REAL FACTS

  • Tourism in Ireland is worth £3.032 billion in business annually - equal to 6.7% of Ireland's Gross National Product.
  • £1.5bn is paid each year to the Exchequer by the Tourist industry.
  • 125,000 people are employed in Tourism.
  • Tourism is a major industry in all constituencies of the country - the only real industry in many.
  • Tourism is one of the few Irish industries that is an employer and contributor to the local economy in every town and village in Ireland.
  • There are 825 hotels and 445 guesthouses in Ireland with over 40,000 bedrooms.
  • Over 50,000 people are employed in hotels alone - 75% of who are full-time.
  • Over 75% of hotels and guesthouses are small family owned establishments, many of which are in rural areas.

We call on you, as you seek election, to give a commitment to the above issues.

In the interests of your constituents, so many of whom rely on the tourism industry, we ask for your full support for the future of Irish tourism, and for the jobs and local economic contribution which the industry sustains.

(IHF May 1999)

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