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03/01/2012
Increase in Tourism Figures Is A Welcome Jobs Boost
Labour TD for Cork South-West Michael McCarthy has warmly welcomed fresh tourism figures today which showed a boost in growth and employment for the Irish tourism sector.
Deputy McCarthy said: "These figures from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation show that positive growth patterns are emerging in most markets within the tourism sector. This year has seen the first increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in four years, with an increase reported today of 7%. Visitor trips from mainland Europe, Britain, North America and other long-haul markets are all up, with figures of a 10% increase in arrivals from Mainland Europe and an 8% increase in visitors from North America.
"Most encouraging is the growth in the numbers employed in the sector which has risen by 6,000 over the last two quarters. In recent weeks there were also positive figures showing an increase in visitors from Great Britain, our main market, making up 44% of all visitors here this year.
"It is clear that the range of Government-led programmes aimed at making tourism the engine of Ireland's economic recovery. This includes various tourism-friendly measures introduced in the Jobs Initiative earlier in the year, and the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama this year which also had a boosting effect. The Government's reduction of the VAT rate to 9% on tourism related services has been highlighted by the Irish.
"Tourism is a key priority for this Government and its commitment to continue to grow tourism markets both on domestic and international fronts is copper-fastened within the Programme for Government."
(CD/GK)
Deputy McCarthy said: "These figures from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation show that positive growth patterns are emerging in most markets within the tourism sector. This year has seen the first increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in four years, with an increase reported today of 7%. Visitor trips from mainland Europe, Britain, North America and other long-haul markets are all up, with figures of a 10% increase in arrivals from Mainland Europe and an 8% increase in visitors from North America.
"Most encouraging is the growth in the numbers employed in the sector which has risen by 6,000 over the last two quarters. In recent weeks there were also positive figures showing an increase in visitors from Great Britain, our main market, making up 44% of all visitors here this year.
"It is clear that the range of Government-led programmes aimed at making tourism the engine of Ireland's economic recovery. This includes various tourism-friendly measures introduced in the Jobs Initiative earlier in the year, and the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama this year which also had a boosting effect. The Government's reduction of the VAT rate to 9% on tourism related services has been highlighted by the Irish.
"Tourism is a key priority for this Government and its commitment to continue to grow tourism markets both on domestic and international fronts is copper-fastened within the Programme for Government."
(CD/GK)
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