Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher has led calls for Ireland to set a more ambitious target for Tourism growth.
POLITICS: Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher says we need to adopt a more ambitious tourism policy to support the sector so that we can effectively address a number of challenges which the country is facing in the years ahead.
In a speech to the Irish Country Hotels and Manor House Hotels AGM being hosted in Donegal Town Deputy Gallagher said, “Over the past three years the tourism sector has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing industries and we in Ireland have a very unique product to promote.
“As such, I believe that the target of attracting 10 million visitors by 2025, as set out by the outgoing Government, is not ambitious enough.
“We must capitalise on the current weakness of the euro in America, the United Kingdom and elsewhere, by aggressively marketing Ireland on the global stage. Many other countries are already doing this – Austria has increased its budget on marketing this year by 30%, Hungary by 20% and Czech Republic by 25% – and we cannot afford to be left behind.
“The years ahead offer great opportunity for the tourism sector if it is properly managed and the Government has a key role in supporting tourism product development, regional balance and domestic and overseas marketing. We are reaping the rewards of the Wild Atlantic Way and we must capitalise on other similar initiatives.
“The tourism sector faces a chronic skills shortage at present, especially in the hospitality and food sectors, which will have to be met by improvement and expansion of apprenticeships in key areas.
“We have to ensure that more resources are made available for medium and long term research and marketing so that tourism agencies can identify, appraise and pursue new areas in regions with low tourism numbers and can look at new opportunities such as food tourism, eco-tourism and niche market tourism.
“As a member of Dáil Éireann, I will play my part in raising important tourism related issues in the term ahead. I understand its importance to Donegal, to the west of Ireland and to rural development within this country and I will ensure that the issues relating to this valuable sector are addressed”, he concluded.