09/01/2014

Irish Tourism Industry Remains Confident

Confidence in the Irish tourism industry about its prospects for the year ahead is at its highest level for many years with almost all accommodation providers in the sector expecting to increase or maintain business in 2014. The confidence has been boosted by a combination of recent Government initiatives, improving overseas markets and the impact of last year's 'Gathering' initiative, it was revealed today at Fáilte Ireland's Annual Tourism Industry Review.

Fáilte Ireland CEO Shaun Quinn emphasised: "One of Ireland's largest indigenous industries, tourism has a spring in its step once more and is poised to play a pivotal role in the continuing national recovery.

"Crucially, when it comes to job creation, the sector can reach those parts that other industries don't. With €100m invested in Fáilte Ireland initiatives in recent years, including the new Wild Atlantic Way, and an overall increase in overseas visitors anticipated during 2014, tourism is well placed to deliver additional revenue and employment to many areas outside the major metropolitan hubs."

During 2013, visitor numbers grew by 7% and foreign earnings rose by €300m boosting overall confidence in the sector. Business sentiment (regarding 2013 and looking to 2014) is on the up for seven out of 10 tourism operators, a long way from the lows of 2009-10.

(CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 October 2008
Accolades For Selling Tourist Ireland Abroad
The hard work of those who market Ireland as a tourist destination abroad has been recognised. Tourism Ministers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland joined forces for the inaugural, 'Ambassadors for Tourism Awards' this week.
05 October 2016
SF Proposals On Tourism Are "Reckless And Irresponsible" - Troy
Sinn Féin's proposals for tourism in its alternative Budget 2017 are "reckless and irresponsible", according to Fianna Fáil's Spokesperson on Tourism, Robert Troy. Deputy Troy said plans by the party to increase the VAT rate on hotel beds are "dangerous" due to the "fragile state" of Ireland's tourism industry.
12 September 2017
Fáilte Ireland Launches 'Get Brexit Ready' Programme
The National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, has unveiled 'Get Brexit Ready', a suite of industry supports designed to help businesses at risk or already struggling with the loss of trade created by Brexit.
26 October 2018
Oversea Visits To Ireland Continue To Rise
Overseas visits to Ireland increased by 7.1% in the first nine months of 2018, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has shown. Welcoming the new figures, the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Shane Ross, said: "I am delighted to welcome the CSO data released today which shows growth in overseas visits of 7.
01 February 2016
New 23 Point Tourism Action Plan Announced
A new Tourism Action Plan for 2016 to 2018 has been announced by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring.