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Tourism Renewal Group: Mid-term review of Tourism Policy

 

..\Tourism Renewal Group - Membership\Maurice Pratt edited.JPG

I have been asked by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr Martin Cullen, TD, to chair a high-level Tourism Renewal Group to review and, where appropriate, renew Ireland's tourism strategy.  The current Strategy is set out in "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012".  

The Minister has asked us to examine the current tourism policy and programme priorities, in the light of the challenges facing the tourism sector.  We will be reporting to the Minister later in 2009 with our recommended Framework for Action.  This will set out key actions to be taken to assist in ensuring that tourism continues to be a major industry for Ireland and the strategies necessary to maintain the long-term sustainable growth of Irish tourism.

The Group will base its work on the fundamental principles and strategic drivers set out in New Horizons.  We will examine policy and programme priorities, actions and targets, taking particular account of:

  • changes in the international tourism and travel market, and the implications for Ireland;
  • performance of Irish tourism since 2003; and
  • the Irish tourism policy, operational, and business environment, taking note of recent developments, such as:
  • the exceptionally challenging global and domestic economic conditions
  • the sharp deterioration in the public finances and its implications in terms of taxation as well as affordability and value for money in public expenditure, and
  • the Government's Statement on Transforming Public Services.

A key starting point is the Report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group, which is available to download at the www.dast.gov.ie website, or by request from the Tourism Renewal Group Secretariat.

Before finalising our analysis and going on to make our recommendations, the Group wants to canvass the views of the tourism industry and the wider public, on what you see as the key strategic issues facing Irish tourism in the medium term, and on what appropriate responses might be.

Tourism is one of our largest internationally-traded services and one which directly generates employment and earnings in every part of the country.  It also plays a vital role by highlighting our potential attractions for investors, researchers and entrepreneurs.  The work of the Tourism Renewal Group will help to make the most of tourism for our future wellbeing.  In that light, I would urge anyone with an interest in Irish tourism to take this opportunity to tell us what you think.

Maurice Pratt,
Chair, Tourism Renewal Group

Submissions should preferably be not more than six A4 pages in length and may be printed or e-mailed.  It is intended that all submissions will be posted publicly to the Group's website
www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/tourism/tourismrenewal.html

Submissions should be addressed to:

Ms Gerri O'Sullivan
Tourism Renewal Group Secretariat
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
New Road
Killarney
Co Kerry
email: tourismrenewal@dast.gov.ie

Submissions should be received by 5pm on Friday 27 February 2009.