Cullen welcomes “focused and prioritised” Report of Tourism Renewal Group

Posted on 08/10/09 by Martin Cullen The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, today (8
October 2009) welcomed the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group, on its
publication at Government Buildings. Commenting on the Report, Minister
Cullen said: "The Tourism Renewal Group has set out clearly prioritised
measures in a Framework for Action for the period to 2013, based on a
focused and consultative analysis of the sector. The Measures proposed by
the Renewal Group are wide-ranging in nature and scope. The Report
confirms that this is a critical time for the Irish tourism industry,
presenting both threats and opportunities."

The Tourism Renewal Group, which was chaired by Mr Maurice Pratt, was
established by Minister Cullen 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 was asked to examine the
tourism policy and programme priorities, actions and targets, with a focus
on the new challenges facing the industry.

The Report of the Tourism Renewal Group sets out
tourism's contribution to Ireland's economic, social and cultural
development, the prospects for Irish tourism in a changed world and
a Framework for Action for tourism's survival, recovery and growth
over the period to 2013.

The Minister continued: "The Government will, of course, need to consider
its response within the wider context of fiscal sustainability and economic
renewal. Nonetheless, I believe that it is essential that all of us, in
the public and private sectors alike, respond in a focused manner, to
sustain the industry in the short term and to maximise its potential in the
medium term. The Report of the Tourism Renewal Group provides the central
framework for that response."

"I particularly welcome the focus on the customer which the Renewal Group
has incorporated in its Report. Ultimately, tourism is about providing a
customer experience and we must ensure that that experience in Ireland is
world-class in quality and value. I believe that, working together, the
tourism industry, the tourism agencies and the wider public sector can
continue to deliver an excellent experience now and into the future," added
the Minister. "I have already asked my Department and the agencies under
its remit to look at progressing the recommendations addressed to them. I
will be consulting with my Ministerial colleagues, State agencies and the
tourism industry in the coming weeks about the other recommendations,
including the various Measures proposed in their areas as well as
arrangements to follow up on the Framework for Action."

The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Chair, Maurice Pratt, for
his commitment and contribution, along with that of all of the members of
the Tourism Renewal Group. He noted the extensive consultations engaged in
by the Group. "As highlighted by the Chair, Maurice Pratt, tourism is
embedded in every town and parish in Ireland and this is reflected in the
breadth of consultations and submissions to the Group. The very fact that
it is so central to Irish life and prosperity can make it less visible and
valued than it should be. In 2008, tourism was responsible for
Total revenue of €6.3 billion (4% of GNP), made up of €4.8 billion in
international earnings and €1.5 billion in domestic revenue
An estimated €1.5 billion in tax revenue for the Exchequer
Over 8 million out-of-State tourist visits and 8.3 million domestic
trips 128,400 jobs in the accommodation and food sector alone - more than
either agriculture, forestry and fishing (110,700) or financial,
insurance and real estate services (104,100)."

"The benefit of the Report of the Tourism Renewal Group is that it sets out
in clear and unambiguous terms just how important tourism is and how it can
contribute to national economic recovery by supporting employment and
exports - if we take the right measures now. I am determined to take the
lead in identifying and driving those measures, based on the work of the
Tourism Renewal Group," the Minister concluded.