Tuesday, 23rd January 2007

NDP MAJOR BOOST FOR TOURISM
TRANSPORT & TOURISM FUNDING WELCOMED BY TOURISM INDUSTRY

The allocation of €800 million to tourism marketing, training and product development announced today in the National Development Plan is welcomed by the Irish Hotels Federation. The IHF states that this investment recognises the significance of Irish tourism as a major contributor to the success of the Irish economy and acknowledges its potential to continue on a growth path. In addition, the IHF welcomes the allocation of over €3.6 billion for sports, culture and heritage infrastructure, which are major stimulants in developing tourism throughout the country.

According to Annette Devine, President, IHF, the Government’s reiteration of its commitment to the implementation of the national spatial strategy is also significant and will benefit tourism particularly regional tourism. However, a part of its challenge will be that underperforming regions get additional supports to improve their tourism performance.

“It is noteworthy that the tourism industry is referred to and impacted by a wide range of measures covered by the plan. We believe today’s announcement provides a strong foundation to further accelerate tourism growth which will assist realise the Government’s ambitions of securing some 10 million overseas visitors to Ireland by 2010,” says Ms Devine. “The total allocation to tourism signifies a real commitment by Government to safeguard and grow Ireland’s tourism success story.”

The IHF maintains that the NDP’s focus on improving regional transport infrastructure will allow for easier and better access to the regions. Improvements in this regard will assist the regional spread of tourism and assist the newly created Regional Tourism Development Boards fulfil their marketing objectives and increase tourism activities in the regions.

“It is imperative that we facilitate the movement of people easily and quickly around the country to assist invigorate tourism in the regions and to enable visitors maximise their time in Ireland. This will require substantial improvements across a range of rail and road access and we are delighted to see that this is now integral to Government policy today,” says Ms Devine.

“Aspects of the NDP relate to putting the chess pieces in place to instigate new growth in tourism over the next seven years. Irish tourism is arguably the most successful sector of Irish owned enterprise since the foundation of the state and offers excellent growth opportunities with the right strategic approaches. We are pleased to see the NDP acknowledges this and places the sector in its rightful position in Government policy,” concludes Ms Devine.

The IHF represents over 1,000 hotels and guesthouses throughout the country. Its members employ 60,000 staff.

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Siobhan Molloy/Eoin Quinn Tel: (01) 676 01 68
Weber Shandwick (086) 817 50 66 or (087) 2332191