Friday, 3rd May 2002

TOURISM CHIEF ACKNOWLEDGES FIANNA FAIL TOURISM POLICY

"The publication today by Fianna Fail of a Tourism Policy Document, is a strong acknowledgement of the importance of tourism to Ireland. In welcoming the commitment from Fianna Fail that it aims to invest in restoring the tourism sector to a path of growth following the many challenges of 2001, this investment should immediately commence with the allocation of €20m to a dedicated tourism recovery fund to accelerate the recovery from last year's events," says John Power, Chief Executive, Irish Hotels Federation speaking today after the launch of the Fianna Fail's tourism policy document in Carrickmacross. "This would further stimulate the late booking pattern which is currently evident in our two major overseas markets - Britain and the US."

The IHF maintains that Fianna Fail's ambition to achieve annual growth in tourism of 5% is achievable and can be exceeded, provided the necessary support funds are available for effective destination marketing campaigns overseas.

The Fianna Fail policy commitment to ensure that the new fast turn-around airline facility at Dublin Airport (Pier D) will be completed in time for the 2003 season is strongly welcomed by the IHF. The IHF also acknowledges Fianna Fail's pledge to make Exchequer funds available to develop a National Conference Centre in Dublin.

"Both Pier D and the National Conference Centre are two major deficits in the tourism infrastructure which we have identified and highlighted in recent years. These are fundamental tourism assets that our competing EU member states have and it is a very welcome development today that Fianna Fail has confirmed action and commitment on these. Both these developments will facilitate a further increase in competitively priced air access, so necessary to an island such as Ireland, and attract major conferences that provide much needed revenue," continues John Power.

According to John Power, given that Irish tourism employs 145,000 people - one in every 12 jobs in the country, it is an industry that has enormous potential which, when supported, provides tangible returns.

"Irish tourism is currently operating in a very difficult environment abroad, the Irish brand marketing and advertising campaigns are competing against other tourist bodies who have vastly increased their marketing spends to recover their tourist industries from the events of 2001. We would trust that the resources are made available to ensure that the positive sentiments expressed in today's document materialise," concludes John Power.

For Further Information:
Siobhan Molloy/Colette Walsh
FCC Shandwick Tel: (01) 676 0168 or (086) 276 5856