Tourism

The following actions will be undertaken in 2012 in respect of the Tourism sector. We will:

7.8.1 Support competitiveness of the Irish tourism offering, through minimising the costs of doing businesses, state imposed costs and regulatory burdens and ensuring the quality of the product is maintained by supporting enterprises and improving e‐capability. (DTTS, Fáilte Ireland)

7.8.2 Target capital investment in public tourism product and infrastructure under the €21m capital budget available to Fáilte Ireland. (Fáilte Ireland)

7.8.3 Develop tourism products/activities where Ireland can gain comparative advantage (e.g. in food, culture, activity breaks, events and festivals), including securing major sports events and conferences for Ireland. (DTTS, Fáilte Ireland, Bord Bia)

7.8.4 Maintain the offer to abolish the remaining Air Travel Tax of €3 subject to acceptable commitments from the carriers to additional inbound flights. (Department of Finance, DTTS)

7.8.5 Use the Tourism Marketing fund of €40m to support international marketing and advertising programmes, focusing on the four core source markets (GB, US, Germany and France) essential to sustaining employment in the sector. (DTTS, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland)

7.8.6 Advance promotion and preparations for “The Gathering 2013” ‐a year long programme of events, festivals and gatherings driven by arts, sports, business and community groups and supported by the Tourism Agencies. (DTTS, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland)