Munster Express Online

Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that, notwithstanding the difficult global environment, the number of overseas visitors for the first seven months of 2008 was just ahead of last year at more than 4.5 million, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen told the Dail. Figures for July alone were less positive.

During Question Time, he told Fine Gael’s Olivia Mitchell that he understood the indications are that the fall-off in monthly numbers seen in July was sustained in August.

“This must be seen in context. Global tourism and Irish Tourism are facing exceptionally challenging conditions, including increased fuel costs and a global economic downturn, with adverse trends in exchange rates,” he said. “I understand that the recent fall-off mirrors trends across Europe, where the year started positively but saw a downturn in monthly figures from May onward.”

The current indications were, he said, that Ireland was maintaining its market share in Europe and many competitors were faring less well, suggesting that the overall competitiveness of Irish tourism is holding.

Good value

“As well as attractive air and sea access fares, there is very good value for money available in tourist accommodation at present, in particular given the addition to our hotel room capacity in recent years,” he added.

While he knew that businesses were responding positively to current challenges, it was just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responded to the changing environment, he said.

He had, therefore, decided to initiate a short mid-term review of the tourism strategy, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012.

“I will be putting in place the arrangements for the mid-term review in the coming weeks and I will seek for it to be completed by the end of the first quarter of next year,” he said. “In the meantime, an extensive range of marketing, product development, training and business supports are being rolled out by the tourism State agencies under the tourism services budget of the Department. For example, the tourism marketing fund for this year provides for €50 million, the highest ever annual allocation for the international marketing effort.”