Wednesday 21st December 2005

NEW AIR ROUTES TO BOOST TOURISM FROM EUROPE
States IHF

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomed the announcement by Ryanair of 18 new routes from Dublin to a variety of European cities, and described it as a tremendous strategic development for Irish tourism. The Federation is optimistic that these new routes will facilitate the continued growth of the European market, visitors from which will have increased by around 13% in 2005 compared to last year. This growth will be a major contributor towards achieving the targets set out in the Government’s Tourism Policy Review Group report. The Federation also welcomes the extension from May 2006 of the facilities at Dublin Airport, albeit temporary, until Pier D comes on stream in 2007.

Highlighting the importance of the European market to Irish tourism, John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, stated, “In 2005 Ireland will have attracted over 1.8 million visitors from Continental Europe compared to 1.6 million in 2004. The European market is currently our fastest growing market for visitors to Ireland and is extremely important considering the level of international competition that now exists in the tourism sector.

“In addition Ireland as an island nation relies heavily on direct air access to attract visitors here, so the importance of continually expanding direct air access routes into Ireland can not be over stated. It is the one of the biggest influences for people when choosing their holiday destination. The speedy development of the temporary facilities at Dublin Airport, leading onto permanent facilities in 2007, and the increased cooperation between airlines and the Dublin Airport Authority, will set a solid foundation for the future growth of air access into Dublin. As an island nation we need to encourage, attract and incentivise airlines that expand their air routes to our country. Inbound tourism can only grow and flourish when there is frequency of access and the establishment of further overseas direct air access links.”

-ENDS-

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