Hotel chief: Transport upgrades needed at Dublin Airport
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today welcomed the announcement that Dublin Airport's Pier D will be completed by 2007 and the new 50,000 sq metre second terminal by 2009.
It said that the Dublin Airport Authority's announcement today needed to be supported by Government action to fastrack implementation of support rail and road infrastructure linking Dublin Airport to key transport links to alleviate congestion around the airport.
IHF Chief Executive John Power said that today's announcement places an onus on the Government to invest in providing rail links and road upgrades to ensure easy access for the estimated 30 million passengers who will use the completed airport annually and to ensure easy access to all parts of the county for visitors.
The IHF wants the Government to ease the congestion on the M50, provide a direct rail link from the airport into Dublin city centre and plan for the opening of the Port Tunnel.
Mr Power said: "The tourism industry has waited long enough for this vital piece of infrastructure to become a reality and now that plans are finally in place it brings us ever closer to having an airport infrastructure capable of meeting the needs and demands of modern travellers.
It is crucial however that the Authority and Government ensure that the terminal is fully operational by 2009 and that vital ancillary transport infrastructure is in place to cater for the vast increase in passengers which the expanded airport is expected to deliver."
"Much of our tourism success is positive and continued growth in overseas visitors is being achieved, however the real measure of success is the number of bednights.
"Additionally when we drill down we find that there is a concern in relation to the spread of tourism throughout the country. We need to make it easier, swifter and more efficient for visitors to reach all parts of the country.
"The lack of efficient transport infrastructure in and out of Dublin airport is an issue. It frustrates visitors, creating a bad impression of our country and inhibits their movements in and out of Dublin.
"The Government needs to ensure the obstacles discouraging visitors from travelling throughout the country are removed, and a key part of that is the airport transport support infrastructure."
