Cullen Looks To 'Renew' Irish Tourism

On Tuesday Martin Cullen, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, 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.

He also 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.

Minister Cullen also published 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."