Tourism chiefs want sector moved to an economic portfolio in next Government
All An Passenger In To Administration Put State Lift Calling Policy Implementation Support Airports Through Dublin Are Chiefs Future Tourism, Also 'stress Before Test' Are Changes Next Ensure Airport Sme Labour The Double Regional Cap, Investment And The Industry On
Tourism should be removed from its current Government portfolio and transferred to an economic one, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) has said in its pre-election manifesto.
The umbrella group representing stakeholders in the sector set out a range of proposals for the next Government to consider, including the doubling of State investment from the current €226m which they say is wholly inadequate.
The ITIC said the sector can grow by 50% by 2030 while meeting its environmental obligations if certain policies are implemented. With the General Election expected to be called shortly, tourism chiefs are seeking to have the sector elevated by the next Government.
The manifesto said tourism needs to move from its current departmental home of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to an economic portfolio.
"A Department of Enterprise, Tourism, Trade and Employment would mean that the Senior Minister and Departmental officials would treat tourism and hospitality opportunities and challenges with the appropriate economic rigour," the manifesto states. The ITIC said a dedicated Minister of State for Tourism also needs to be re-instated.
Industry chiefs are also calling on the next administration to lift the Dublin Airport passenger cap, double State investment in tourism, support regional airports and ensure all future labour policy changes are put through an SME “stress test” before implementation.
“Tourism and hospitality is the country’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer," ITIC Chairman Niall MacCarthy said. "This year has been a challenging one on a number of fronts and the next Government needs to lay the groundwork for the sector to overcome certain obstacles and headwinds."
The ITIC said the tourism and hospitality sector employs 13% of the national workforce across 46,000 businesses. They said 75% of this tourism is reliant on international visitors with 23c of every tourism euro going to the exchequer, generating €10bn in value to the State.
Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC, said: “The recent budget was a disappointing one for tourism and the sector is under considerable pressure. As we look forward to the next Government there has to be increased political and economic attention paid to tourism issues.
"The industry can’t be taken for granted in a highly competitive global sector and we urge all parties to adopt these key asks within their political manifestos.”
The manifesto also calls for capacity increases to cater for future demand including additional hotel stock, car hire VAT reform to build fleets, and a balance sought between housing and tourism so that the self-catering sector is protected in regional Ireland.
"Government must lessen its dependence on hotels and guesthouses for refugees and asylum seekers and return these tourism beds to the visitor economy," the manifesto states.