TOURISM has received cash injection of nine per cent in the govern-ment’s Estimates figures and that brings the allocation to the sector to ¤154 million.
In what has been the largest-ever Exchequer budget for tourism promotion, the marketing fund will reach ¤45 million in 2007 which is a 12.5 per cent increase on 2006.
The budget for frontline tourism marketing has in fact jumped from ¤12 million in 1997 to ¤45 million in 2007.
In addition there has been an increase in funding to the tune of eight per cent in F·ilte Ireland’s core funding, when account is taken of once-off expenditure associated with the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Foreign revenue earnings from tourism have increased by almost 60 per cent since 1997, from ¤2.7 billion in 1997 to ¤4.3 billion in
2005.
Overseas visitor numbers have increased by 35 per cent since 1997, from 5.2 million to almost seven million in 2005.
Tourism Minister, John O’Donoghue, said the increase in tourism spend will enable him to provide effective support for the sector as it responds to the challenges outlined in the New Horizons tourism strategy policy initiative.
When account is taken of once-off expenditure arising from the marketing of the Ryder Cup in 2006, the actual increase in 2007 is 13 per cent, he pointed out.
“Increased marketing funding will enable Tourism Ireland and F·ilte Ireland to ratchet up their marketing activities in 2007, with a particular emphasis on an enhanced regional focus and new marketing strategies for North America and new and developing markets,” the minister said.
The new regional tourism development boards will also benefit from additional funding being provided to F·ilte Ireland, which is being allocated almost ¤80 million in 2007.
Plans are also in place to phase in a new product development strategy with a focus on enhancing the tourism product and infrastructure and optimising the industry’s strengths to capture maximum economic benefit.
