IHF Welcomes Announcement of Chairpersons
to Regional Tourism Development Boards

Tuesday 29th August 2006: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), representing 1,000 hotels and guesthouses in Ireland, welcomed the announcement earlier today by John O’Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism of the appointment by Fáilte Ireland of the Chairpersons of the five new Regional Tourism Development Boards.

IHF President, Annette Devine said “The calibre of the appointees will give real leadership to the newly established Regional Tourism Development Boards and reflects the need for highly experienced individuals to drive regional tourism development. Each of the appointees come with strong credentials and track records that demonstrate real leadership and dynamism across a wide variety of sectors. Their appointments will inject new thinking and drive in tackling the challenges that face the regions not least the need to act urgently and incisively to improve regional tourism performance.

Regional tourism has been facing a number of challenges over the last few years which have seen the number of bed nights fall by 9.2 million since 1999. The new structures for regional tourism will address these challenges providing a strong focus and support for the needs of individual regions.

Each region now needs a strong Board and we hope that the announcement of the remainder of the board appointees will follow quickly in order that the revitalized regional organizations will have the necessary direction to drive regional tourism to achieve solid growth which will be measured through increases in visitors to each region.”

ENDS

For information:
Niamh Boylan / Eoin Quinn Tel: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick FCC Mobiles: 086 3809191 / 087 2332191