Welcoming and entertaining visitors is part of our character as a people. We have an open and welcoming nature and, with global connections through emigration and family ties, we are outward-looking.
Offering hospitality is not just in our nature, it is now an economic mainstay. It is a life-source for our dispersed communities and an important economic contributor to our cities.
Tourism brings in revenue of €7.5bn annually and supports 260,000 jobs. The scale of what is at stake is underlined by the fact 22c in every euro that every visitor spends ends up as public money.
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As a country, we need to appreciate the real value of the asset tourism is. It is a web of social and economic connectivity which benefits all and is a base for indigenous enterprise.
Brexit uncertainty is causing momentum to falter, stalling the tremendous growth of recent years. It is undermining the confidence vital for future success. We know businesses are fearful and helping them to be Brexit-ready is a role Fáilte Ireland has undertaken.
But while the threats are regrettably real, we must remember that so too are opportunities. The demand to travel and discover new places is an innate human urge and it’s now affordable for many more people around the world than in the past.
At Croke Park today, in front of an audience of more than 600 from the tourism industry coalface, we will be unveiling our plans to help support and develop tourism next year. Our underpinning focus on regionality and seasonality ensures sustainable economic benefits, regional balance and better social cohesion.
Our plans are about building an Ireland where every part of the country is included and the natural inclination of our people to welcome others is translated into jobs and opportunities.
Regionally, tourism is a powerful force for economic and social good. Our research shows that currently more than 70pc of overseas nights are spent in just five counties. This is both a challenge and a growth opportunity which requires everyone involved in driving tourism growth to redouble our efforts.
Fáilte Ireland, for our part, will not be found wanting in this area and today we are unveiling what we believe are our strongest ever set of initiatives to drive long-term regional growth.
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands are examples of the thought-leadership and development that can deliver rich experiences and brilliant visitor experiences.
Dublin’s proximity to coast and mountain means a largely untapped hinterland for visitors to the capital.
Next year, through the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 programme, we will be investing more than €12m to develop new and better visitor attractions. In 2020 we will open 25 new and improved visitor attractions.
We have established a new division in Fáilte Ireland to drive the long-term development of the tourism sector, so we’ll be stepping up our business supports and training programmes.
Our strategy is to prepare for the specifics of Brexit and reorient towards a different future in a changed world.
We are at a critical juncture in our economic as well as our political history.
Spending by tourists can reach into corners of the country that industrial investment is unlikely to find. This provides a dividend that is real and relevant to every citizen.
Paul Kelly is CEO of Fáilte Ireland. He will today launch the Fáilte Ireland industry work plans for 2020
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Home » Analysis & Comment » Paul Kelly: 'We are working to grow tourism income in every corner of the country'
Paul Kelly: 'We are working to grow tourism income in every corner of the country'
Welcoming and entertaining visitors is part of our character as a people. We have an open and welcoming nature and, with global connections through emigration and family ties, we are outward-looking.
Offering hospitality is not just in our nature, it is now an economic mainstay. It is a life-source for our dispersed communities and an important economic contributor to our cities.
Tourism brings in revenue of €7.5bn annually and supports 260,000 jobs. The scale of what is at stake is underlined by the fact 22c in every euro that every visitor spends ends up as public money.
Please log in or register with Independent.ie for free access to this article.
Log In
New to Independent.ie? Create an account
As a country, we need to appreciate the real value of the asset tourism is. It is a web of social and economic connectivity which benefits all and is a base for indigenous enterprise.
Brexit uncertainty is causing momentum to falter, stalling the tremendous growth of recent years. It is undermining the confidence vital for future success. We know businesses are fearful and helping them to be Brexit-ready is a role Fáilte Ireland has undertaken.
But while the threats are regrettably real, we must remember that so too are opportunities. The demand to travel and discover new places is an innate human urge and it’s now affordable for many more people around the world than in the past.
At Croke Park today, in front of an audience of more than 600 from the tourism industry coalface, we will be unveiling our plans to help support and develop tourism next year. Our underpinning focus on regionality and seasonality ensures sustainable economic benefits, regional balance and better social cohesion.
Our plans are about building an Ireland where every part of the country is included and the natural inclination of our people to welcome others is translated into jobs and opportunities.
Regionally, tourism is a powerful force for economic and social good. Our research shows that currently more than 70pc of overseas nights are spent in just five counties. This is both a challenge and a growth opportunity which requires everyone involved in driving tourism growth to redouble our efforts.
Fáilte Ireland, for our part, will not be found wanting in this area and today we are unveiling what we believe are our strongest ever set of initiatives to drive long-term regional growth.
The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands are examples of the thought-leadership and development that can deliver rich experiences and brilliant visitor experiences.
Dublin’s proximity to coast and mountain means a largely untapped hinterland for visitors to the capital.
Next year, through the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 programme, we will be investing more than €12m to develop new and better visitor attractions. In 2020 we will open 25 new and improved visitor attractions.
We have established a new division in Fáilte Ireland to drive the long-term development of the tourism sector, so we’ll be stepping up our business supports and training programmes.
Our strategy is to prepare for the specifics of Brexit and reorient towards a different future in a changed world.
We are at a critical juncture in our economic as well as our political history.
Spending by tourists can reach into corners of the country that industrial investment is unlikely to find. This provides a dividend that is real and relevant to every citizen.
Paul Kelly is CEO of Fáilte Ireland. He will today launch the Fáilte Ireland industry work plans for 2020
Source: Read Full Article