Strong supports for Tourism in 2011

Date: 17/12/2010
Posted by: Darragh

The tourism industry is set for a major boost next year with almost €90 million being made available for Fáilte Ireland to promote holidaying at home and a further €41 million provided to market Ireland abroad and for tourism agencies to promote activities. This is on top of the 70% reduction in the air travel tax from €10 to €3 and the commitment that airlines will receive a full rebate of airport charges in respect of traffic at all three main airports above an annual threshold of 23.5 million passengers. This will incentivise airlines to bring more passengers into Ireland.

This is a significant package of measures for the tourism sector which needs a much needed boost during next year. The sector is hugely important to the economy as it employs 190,000 people.

The €90 million to promote holidaying at home will upgrade our tourism facilities and provide enterprise supports while funding for marketing Ireland abroad will help deliver on our ambitious tourism targets. The Government is aiming to increase the number of visits to Ireland to eight million by 2015. It’s estimated that this would generate at least 15,000 new jobs across the tourism sector.

The Government’s decision to cut the air travel tax is the right decision at the right time. When taken with the package of other measures this is a very significant incentive for the airlines to bring more passengers into Ireland.

I want to urge both Aer Lingus and Ryanair in the main to seize this opportunity in the New Year to grow their passenger numbers in 2011 and provide a significant tourism boost for the economy and the tourism sector.