Tourism chiefs urge triple boost
Dublin needs a new national stadium, conference centre and a second airport terminal to meet future tourism needs, it was claimed today.
Gillian Bowler, who chairs Fáilte Ireland, said 2004 could be a record-breaking year for the industry, but insisted infrastructure must be improved if progress is to be maintained.
“There is good reason to have greater confidence in Irish tourism now than 12 months ago, 2003 was a defining year in important respects,” she said.
“Not only did Ireland increase overseas visitor numbers by 4% to 6.1 million and revenue from domestic and overseas by 5% to €5.2bn, but as a destination we outperformed our competitors.
“This is the acid test of a country’s competitiveness – increasing our share of market proves the attractiveness of our offering to overseas and domestic holidaymakers.
“By focusing on our key strengths – landscape, lifestyle, security – and addressing our cost base as a matter of urgency I am confident that 2004 will prove to be a record year for Irish tourism exceeding the performance of 2000.”
Ms Bowler said the government had to ensure that the current momentum was maintained.
“Year on year growth of 4% off (correct) our current infrastructural base is very positive, but to see an exponential growth in Irish tourism needs the urgent delivery of three major projects: a new terminal at Dublin Airport, the national conference centre and a sports stadium.
“Without these, the picture for 2006 and beyond looks stagnant at best and the momentum of recent years will not be sustained.”
Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue has allocated a record €31.5m to the tourism marketing fund in 2004.
Ms Bowler said greater focus must be paid to the domestic market in the coming year as the authority delivered its end of year review and outlook for 2004.
Total expenditure from this market increased 12% to £770million €1.1bn last year, while the number of holiday trips increased 5% over the first eight months of the year.
“The domestic market is our largest single market and is no longer the ‘poor relation’ in the eyes of operators,” Ms Bowler said.
“A focus by businesses on developing this market will pay dividends in 2004.”
Irish accommodation providers reported their top three concerns at the end of 2003 as high insurance costs (39%), high overheads (36%) and cost of labour (27%).
Just 4% referred to regulations and bureaucracy, including the imminent ban on workplace smoking, as a concern for them.
In another study, two-thirds of visitors were in favour of the smoking ban in pubs and bars with 22% opposed.
This figure rose to 70% in favour of the ban in hotels and restaurants.
American visitors were most in favour of the ban.
One in 10 visitors said the ban would make them more likely to return to Ireland for a holiday, while 84% said it would make no difference.
Shaun Quinn, Failte Ireland’s chief executive, said he was optimistic for the sector’s future.
“Tourism is Ireland’s most successful indigenous industry and has great potential for growth,” he said.
“We must ensure that the qualities and attributes valued by our visitors are protected and developed, especially our environment, landscape and hospitality.”
