Government Targets 5M New Visitors
The Government has announced a new plan to increase the number of tourists visiting Ireland by one million per year for the next five years.
It will see the development of a balanced regional spread of tourism throughout the country, prioritising investment in less mature tourism destinations.
It will also focus on improving the digitisation of tourism businesses as well as extending the tourist season from St Brigid's weekend to Halloween.
There will also be a culinary focus, with a focus on turning the island of Ireland into a "foodie" holiday destination.
The Irish Hotels Federation welcomed the plan.
Chief Executive Paul Gallagher said:
"As Ireland’s most regionally dispersed indigenous employer, tourism is a key cornerstone of our nation’s economic prosperity. This is clearly recognised throughout the Government’s new tourism strategy with a very welcome commitment to supporting businesses, increasing employment and delivering sustainable long-term growth."
Minister for Tourism Peter Burke launched the plan "A New Era for Irish Tourism" at Belvedere House in Mullingar. He said this tourism policy, for the first time, places a key focus on food-related tourism. Food trails and week-long food-centred holidays will be developed across the island of Ireland, as part of the strategy.
"We are setting the course of direction and the areas for investment for the next five years," he said.
Mr Burke said the plan will also focus on SMEs involved in tourism, with increased support promised.
"In total, we are targeting growth in international tourism revenue by 6% per annum and domestic revenue by 7% per annum. We want to see 90% of tourism SMEs supported to adopt advanced digital tools, and to grow employment in the sector to 250,000," he said.
On the capacity of hotels, Mr Burke said he is confident Ireland has the capacity to deal with tourism growth. He said there are 11,500 bed spaces under construction, 8,500 of which are in Dublin.
On the use of hotels by the International Protection Accommodation Service, he said there has been a reduction in State contracts, with 5% of hotels in Ireland now being used for such accommodation.
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