Press Release

News Release: 2 December 2008

 

Cullen announces Tourism Renewal Group and publishes Report of Tourism Strategy Implementation Group

 

Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, today (2 December 2008) announced the establishment of a high-level Group to renew the strategic framework for Irish tourism development, set out in "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012.” The Tourism Renewal Group will examine the current tourism policy and programme priorities, with a focus on the challenges, and will set out a framework for action to assist in ensuring that tourism continues to be a major industry for Ireland. The Minister has requested the Group to complete its work in the first half of 2009.

 

The Minister announced that well-known businessman and former President of IBEC, Maurice Pratt will chair the Tourism Renewal Group. Other members of the Group include representatives of the tourism trade, national and international experts and senior public servants. (Members listed below).

 

Minister Cullen also published today the Report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group (TSIG). This Group was set up in 2006 to follow up on the recommendations of the New Horizons strategy over a two-year period and to recommend a framework for a mid-term review. Their Report confirms that the Government commitment to tourism, and the active partnership between public bodies and the tourism sector, has ensured good progress on tourism development to date, in the face of continuing global competition.

 

Commenting on the Report and on the establishment of the new Tourism Renewal Group, Minister Martin Cullen said: "The Report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group confirms that the fundamental approach and the strategic drivers for tourism identified in New Horizons are still sound. However, the context in which Irish tourism is now competing, like the rest of our key internationally-traded sector, has changed radically from what it was. That is why I have established the Tourism Renewal Group. I have asked it to proceed without delay and to report back to me in the first half of next year."

 

The Minister added: "The tourism sector in Ireland and globally is facing major challenges at this time and I know that our businesses are responding positively to those challenges. It is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. The work of the Tourism Renewal Group will ensure that, in partnership with the sector, we can plan for current and future challenges and take the appropriate action to meet them, thus ensuring that Irish tourism continues on a path of sustainable growth over the medium term."

 

Commenting on the membership of the Group, Minister Cullen said: "I am delighted such an experienced group of people will oversee the renewal of Irish tourism development strategy. I am especially pleased that Maurice Pratt has agreed to serve as Chair of the Renewal Group. I believe that the collective expertise and energy of the Tourism Renewal Group, which blends national and international experience, and views from a range of sectors involved in tourism, will drive the renewal I want to see."

 

/……………

 

Note for Editors:

Tourism Renewal Group

 

Chair: Mr Maurice Pratt, businessman

The members of the Group, who will work with Mr Pratt, are -

• Mr Brian Britton, Business Consultant
• Dr Mary Coveney, Manager, Industry Affairs, Dublin Airport Authority
• Mr Alain Dupeyras, Head of the Tourism Programme, OECD
• Mr Matthew Ryan, President of the Irish Hotels Federation
• Mr Noel Sweeney, Managing Director, TCC - Tourism & Transport Consult International
• Mr Rossa White, Chief Economist, Davy Stockbrokers
• Mr Paul O’Toole, Chief Executive, Tourism Ireland
• Mr Shaun Quinn, Chief Executive, Fáilte Ireland
• Mr Paul Bates, Assistant Secretary, Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

 

The new Group will examine policy and programme priorities, actions and targets in the light of the challenges facing the tourism sector now. In particular, the Group will take account of

·       Changes in the international tourism and travel market, and the implications for Ireland

·       Performance of Irish tourism since 2003

·       The Irish tourism policy, operational, and business environment.

Following its examination, the Group will submit its recommendations to the Minister in the form of a Framework for Action for the period to 2013.

 

 

The Report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group published today, highlights emerging trends in the tourism and travel sector in Ireland and globally, including

• Ongoing and rapid restructuring within the airline industry
• Increasing focus on the interrelationship between tourism and travel, on the one hand, and the environment and sustainable development, on the other
• The strength of Ireland's image as a stable and peaceful island and the all-island dimension generally
• Increasing cultural diversity in Ireland

as well as the more recent uncertainty regarding growth prospects in key overseas markets, global economic trends and the impact of fuel costs and adverse currency movements.

 

 

Issued by: Michelle Hoctor, 01 6313876, Therese O Connor, 01 6313807

 

To access the Report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group see the publications section (home page) of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism website www.dast.gov.ie

 

ENDS