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2006 a record year for tourism in West E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
Last year, 2006, was a record year for the tourism industry in the West of Ireland, with an all-time high of 1.4 million overseas visitors, spending €480 million.

Speaking at Fáilte Ireland West's first board meeting for 2007, Ray Rooney, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland West, said: "Tourism had a strong performance around the region in 2006 and the early indications suggest that 2007 will be even stronger. Nine in ten accommodation providers believe their overseas business this year will be at least as good as or even better than in 2006. However, some sectors of the industry are somewhat reliant on the domestic market and, while this market was very strong, its buoyancy has hidden a below par performance by the international leisure market in recent years."

He continued, "Despite the rise in international visitors last year, there is a continuing high dependence on the Ireland holiday market, now accounting for 60 per cent of hotel bed nights. As in any business, any over-reliance on one market is of concern. We will continue to grow the domestic market while working in close collaboration with the tourism industy and Tourism Ireland on driving growth in the international leisure segment to reduce this over reliance."

Mr Rooney commented, "It is good to see that the regional distribution of tourism in 2006 improved somewhat with the Ireland West region recording higher levels of growth than Dublin and the Eastern regions. However, the sustained development of tourism across all regions remains one of the most pressing issues facing the tourism industry."

The Chairman remarked, "The new partnership structures for tourism at regional level, put in place by Fáilte Ireland during the latter half of 2006, will provide a well-funded dynamic to champion the sustained recovery of tourism across all regions. Further investment, by both the public and private sectors, is also needed to develop tourism within all of the regions, especially in improving the range and quality of tourism attractions and activities.

"There was a significant recovery in the numbers of visitors engaging in active pursuits such as golf, angling, walking, equestrian and cycling in 2006. Fáilte Ireland launched a series of looped walks throughout the country, including four in the Ireland West region. It is expected a further 40 new routes will be launched during 2007.

"2006 has been a very successful year for tourism in the West of Ireland, however we cannot afford to let the pace decelerate. Ireland is now a relatively high cost destination. As such, the basis for competing internationally is shifting towards doing things better and or differently, rather than competing on price. The development of activities and attractions throughout the regions, must remain a priority with the Government in order to ensure the long-term future of tourism in the regions," Mr Mr Rooney concluded.


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