Thursday, 5th December 2002

ADDITIONAL MARKETING FUND FOR TOURISM WELCOMED

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomed the announcement by Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue T.D that an additional €0 .5m is to be allocated for overseas tourism marketing. Mr John Power, Chief Executive, IHF stated the additional funding will enable an effective kick-start for the 2003 marketing programmes in our key overseas markets.

Mr Power said that the funds are been given at what is a crucial time for overseas bookings, particularly from the US and Britain . "The additional funding will ensure that Ireland continues to have an overseas presence through advertising and marketing campaigns for the remainder of the year and is positive acknowledgement from the Government of the importance of a continued tourism growth performance."

The additional funding is particularly valuable to the American market with the announcement from US Airways that it intends to introduce a new direct service from Philadelphia to Dublin and Shannon next year.

Commenting on the announcement, John Power said " This new route along with the resumption of the Aer Lingus Baltimore/Washington to Dublin route next year, are important steps to recovery of tourism in 2003 and will help restore capacity on the Atlantic route to pre-September 11 levels.

"Air capacity from the US to Ireland has been badly hit this year with a reduction of 20% of direct air capacity year on year. The availability of frequent, competitive access to Ireland, particularly on the North Atlantic route, is essential to Ireland's tourism recovery in the present environment, as this is a major factor determining where a tourist chooses to visit", Mr Power concluded.

FOR INFORMATION:
Brian Harmon/Colette Walsh
Weber Shandwick FCC Tel: (01) 676 01 68