Monday, 31st January 2007

NEW US AIR ROUTES MAJOR TOURISM BOOST FOR WEST OF IRELAND
States Irish Hotels Federation

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomes the announcement by Flyglobespan that it will operate, from next May five new flights into Ireland West Knock Airport from New York and Boston. The IHF describes it as a vital boost for regional tourism in the West of Ireland and is optimistic that the new services will facilitate the continued expansion of the American tourism market both nationally and directly into the West of Ireland. With five US flights per week, it is estimated that the new air services will generate an additional 35,000 overseas visitors and an estimated €28m in spending within the region in 2007.

According to John Power, Chief Executive, IHF, the importance of the American market to Irish tourism can not be over stated and this is a significant announcement to assist Ireland secure further growth and increase the number of US visitors to the country. Recent CSO figures show an increase of 11.1% in overseas visitors from North America for the first nine months of 2006 and it is recognised that direct air access is a key motivator to influence US visitors to choose Ireland as a destination.

“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. It is a strategic development for tourism in the West of Ireland to now have a gateway providing direct access to the region for inbound US visitors. Inbound tourism can only grow and flourish when there is frequency of access and the establishment of further overseas direct air access links. This is particularly crucial in the case of regional tourism which, in recent years, has not performed to its potential due to poor direct air access and transport links from other urban centres. It is encouraging that the roll-out of motorways and dual carriage ways will address this, and this will be further boosted by the measures included in Transport 21 and the National Development Plan,” says Mr Power.

Knock Airport is expected to report an end of year growth in passenger numbers for 2006 of 18% to 625,000 passengers, an increase from 530,000 in 2005. This growth is the result of a 16% increase in passengers on its UK scheduled routes in addition to a 27% growth in European holiday charter routes.

“This announcement represents massive potential to grow tourism to the West region. We look forward to working with the Regional Tourism Development Boards in the West and North West to maximise this impact,” concludes Mr. Power.

ENDS

FOR INFORMATION:

Siobhan Molloy/Eoin Quinn Tel: 01 6760168
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