Overview
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport's role (explained
in more detail below) in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area
of national policy. It's remit is :
"To support the growth of a competitive and sustainable tourism
industry, enhancing its contribution to national economic and social goals,
through the development, implementation and influencing of a range of policy
actions and programmes by the Department, its Agencies and other Government
Departments, in consultation with industry partners".
The agencies, under the aegis of the Department, are establised to deal
with the administration of that policy.
Overview of the Tourism Industry
Central Statistics Office figures show that there were over 6 million overseas visitors to the Republic of Ireland in 2010. This represents a decrease of 12.9% on 2009. The 2010 figures are likely to have been worsened by disruption due to bad weather at the start and end of the year as well as the impact of volcanic ash. The pace of decline slowed as the year went on, particularly for the North American and Continental European markets.
The tourism and hospitality sector continues to be a major economic force in the economy, providing up to 180,000 jobs and helping to generate an estimated €2.7 billion in foreign revenue earnings. When carrier receipts are included, along with cross-border visitors, this estimate rises to c €3.4 billion. Estimated spending on domestic tourism in 2010 was €1.3 billion.
Individual, small to medium sized enterprises are the backbone of the industry
which competes in an increasingly globalised international tourism marketplace.
The goals set for tourism are designed to provide the Department with operational
focus and are set out in its Statement of Strategy (2008 – 2010).
As noted above these require the Department :
To support the growth of a competitive and sustainable tourism
industry, enhancing its contribution to national economic and social goals,
through the development, implementation and influencing of a range of policy
actions and programmes by the Department, its Agencies and other Government
Departments, in consultation with industry partners.
The nature of the Department's mandate is also such that there are a number
of important strategic results areas where the Department interacts with
other Departments and agencies in order to deliver on Government policy.
Among the key cross-cutting issues which impact on the Department are maintenance
of competitively priced, regular access to and from our main markets; provision
of identified access roads and sanitary services infrastructure to support
use of visitor attractions and tourist areas; the development, and appropriate
management, of a range of cultural and heritage activities capable of being
marketed overseas; pursuit of an environmental policy which accommodates
the sensitive development and expansion of tourism with opportunities for
the development of rural tourism and the enjoyment of natural resources
for tourism, sport and recreation.
Traditionally, the unique attraction of Ireland as a tourist destination
has been the level and depth of contact with the Irish people. Ireland has
a relaxed and clean environment characterised by an unhurried pace of life
and beautiful landscapes. More recently visitors have also travelled to
Ireland to avail of the wide range of sporting and recreational facilities
and events. Golf, angling, walking, cycling, equestrian, cultural and heritage
are all easily accessible alongside some of the highest standards of accommodation,
food and hospitality, often in a pre-dominantly rural setting.
Meanwhile, Dublin has established itself as a vibrant destination in its
own right, competing with Europe's renowned capital cities, in particular
for short-break business.
Modern life has raised new challenges. There are pressures on the environment
in certain areas and a constant need to enhance facilities to keep pace
with the number of tourists from at home and abroad. Tourism like many other
economic sectors depends strongly on climatic conditions. The Department
is actively engaging with sectoral partners at EU, National and Agency level
in examining positive actions to address the effects of climate change on
the sector.
In an increasingly competitive global market the Department is very conscious
of the need for the industry to be vigilant in the face of price and inflationary
pressures together with exchange rate fluctuations. Ireland must also ensure
that it continues to provide the warmth of the traditional Irish welcome.
Pressures of recent economic developments are leading to a shift in the
focus of Government policy. There is now a growing emphasis on the need
to support enterprises in order to maintain viable enterprises, maximise
employment and ensure that the industry is ready to respond to the economic
revival as soon as it happens. In so doing the Department will encourage
activity which has the minimum possible negative effects on the environment.
Enhanced North/South co-operation arising from the Good Friday Agreement
has particular implications for tourism with the express intention of exploiting
the potential for joint marketing of the island of Ireland, to the benefit
of the industry North and South.
All of this is happening against the backdrop of significant changes in
the international tourism market. Across the globe, individuals are facing
serious economic challenges and so Ireland must work to attract increasingly
discerning international tourists who rightfully seek the highest standards
of facilities and services. The Department is confident that Ireland continues
to meet these expectations as well as providing a unique visitor experience.
Developments in information and communication technologies have heralded
significant change in the pattern of bookings and trends in holiday taking.
The tourism sector in Ireland is maturing in a complex environment of rapid
economic and social change. The Department's challenge is to ensure an appropriate
institutional architecture and suite of policies to facilitate the consolidation
of recent gains and the continued development by the industry of a sustainable
and spatially balanced tourism sector.
Tourism Strategy
"New Horizons for Irish Tourism - An Agenda for Action" –
the report of the high level Tourism Policy Review Group - was published
on 30th September 2003. This :
- Outlined a strategy for Irish Tourism from 2003-2012, both industry-led
and Government-led, for the further sustainable development of tourism
in Ireland and
- Identified recommendations and actions, to be undertaken by the industry
and the public sector, to give effect to the strategy. The final report
of the Review Group
Following publication, the Minister appointed the Tourism Action Plan Implementation
Group (TAPIG) to monitor implementation of the recommendations of the Review
Group. TAPIG presented three progress reports to the Minister, its third
and final progress
report being presented in March 2006. The full progress reports are
available on the publications
page of the Department's website.
In May 2006 the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group (TSIG) was appointed
by the Minister to advise on implementation of the outstanding recommendations
contained in the New Horizons report and respond to evolving
issues in the course of the development of the tourism industry in a dynamic
international context.
The report of the Tourism Strategy Implementation Group, is available to
download here
In December 2008 the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism established a high-level Tourism Renewal Group, chaired by Mr
Maurice Pratt, to review and, where appropriate, renew Ireland's tourism strategy as set out in "New Horizons for Irish Tourism: an Agenda for Action 2003-2012". Click
here for Terms of Reference and Membership
The Report of the Tourism Renewal Group
(available to download here) sets out tourism's contribution to Ireland's
economic, social and cultural development and the prospects for Irish tourism
in a changed world, as well as a Framework for Action for tourism's survival,
recovery and growth over the period to 2013 – broken down into five
Survival Actions over 2009-2010 and nine Recovery Actions for 2010-2013.
In July 2010, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport announced the establishment of a Tourism Renewal Implementation Group
to oversee and drive actions on measures to support tourism in Ireland. This new Group is chaired by the Minister and includes
tourism agency representatives, Departmental officials and representatives of a range of interests within the tourist industry.
Click here for further information