Thursday 18th November 2004

TOURISM CHIEF WELCOMES BOOK OF ESTIMATES SUPPORT
FOR TOURISM FUNDS

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed the increase of 14% in tourism marketing funding announced today by the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, T.D. in the Book of Estimates, bringing the total tourism marketing allocation for 2005 to €35.78m. Federation Chief Executive John Power hopes that these additional funds, coupled with the €200m that the industry itself spends annually on marketing activity both at home and overseas, will result in refreshed campaigns in our major markets. This refreshed approach is urgently needed in the important British market, which is showing continuing signs of weakness.

Mr Power states, “We welcome the Minister’s commitment to provide an additional €9m in funding for the tourism sector. This funding represents an important investment by Government to help Ireland compete against aggressive international competition and to achieve its ambitious growth plans to double overseas tourism revenue to Ireland over the next 10 years. ”

“In the current difficult and highly competitive international tourism environment it is essential that adequate funding is available to sustain effective marketing efforts. CSO tourism figures released today for quarter three 2004 have shown a worrying decline of 3.6% in the number of UK visitors coming to Ireland. As our nearest neighbour and by far our largest overseas market the UK is an extremely important market for us. It is, therefore, imperative that marketing activities targeting the UK market are sharpened and increased. Hopefully the additional marketing funds now allocated will help in achieving this objective,” continues Mr Power.

The IHF acknowledges the success of Mr John O’Donoghue, T .D. Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism in convincing his Government colleagues of the extent of the economic and social importance of the Irish tourism sector and in succeeding in procuring the extra funding.

For information:

Siobhan Molloy/Niamh Boylan Tel: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick FCC Mobile: 086 8175066 / 086 3809191