The plan to move forward with the delivery a national conference centre for Dublin is a major positive development for the Irish economy and will provide direct benefits to the Irish tourism industry, the President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) stated today. The IHF believes that its establishment could attract an additional 50,000 visitors per annum, which has the potential to boost the national economy by up to €60million.

The IHF has for many years called for this crucial facility to be provided as part of the national infrastructure so that Ireland could compete for the international conference market. All other EU capitals boast such centres and Ireland has been at a distinct disadvantage.

"Today's decision is a tremendous move by Minister John O'Donoghue and is to be warmly welcomed. It clearly shows the priority the Minister has placed on steering the future development of Irish tourism and it is a tangible giant leap forward in delivering on a commitment to tourism in the joint programme for Government and on the recommendations in recently published interim report of Tourism Review Group. This fundamental piece of infrastructure was always viewed as a serious deficiency in Ireland's offering abroad and it cannot be over stated how important today's decision is for the future of the industry going forward," says Jim Murphy, IHF President.

"An international convention centre would attract an additional 50,000 visitors to Dublin each year on top of the current 120,000 conference and meetings delegates to Ireland. Delegates attending international conferences are high spending individuals. This is a target market for Irish tourism in our strategic objectives to attain higher yields. On average they spend approximately €1,200 in the country during their visit, which is 50% higher than the normal tourist spend. With no facilities to host large conventions, Dublin as an EU capital has been losing out in this market to other competing European capitals," continues Mr Murphy.

"An international conference centre is an essential part of any modern, vibrant, European capital. It is a fundamental asset of any capital city. One in three delegates at international conventions extend their stay in the host country, thereby further contributing to tourism not just in Dublin but in the country generally," Mr Murphy concluded.

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