Ireland has committed to limit the growth in its greenhouse gas emmissions to 13% above the actual 1990 levels, by 2012.  A tall order.

How do you think we are doing? Click here to find out, you may be surprised by what you learn.

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October 29th 2009

In 2003 a comprehensive plan was drawn up called New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action. This report set out a comprehensive strategy for developing the tourism industry covering a 10 year period to 2012.

A detailed plan was drawn up listing specific actions which would be required in order to achieve the objectives of attaining 10 million visitors generating €6 billion by 2012. The report also recommended that a midway review be carried out to see if the ambitious targets were being met, and to recommend any essential changes which might be desirable.

Earlier this year an expert group was appointed to carry out this review under the Chairmanship of Maurice Pratt, and they have just produced their report. ITIC spoke with Maurice about the review, so click on the image below to hear what he had to say.

October 15th 2009

In 2003 a comprehensive plan was drawn up called, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action. This report set out a comprehensive strategy for developing the industry covering a 10 year period to 2012. A detailed plan of specific actions which would be required in order to achieve the objectives of attaining 10 million overseas visitors, generating €6 billion by 2012 was set out.

The report also recommended that a half-way review be undertaken to see how the industry was performing, if targets were being met, and to recommend any essential changes which might be desirable. That review has just been completed and was launched today by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen T.D. An expert group, Chaired by Maurice Pratt, worked through the summer to produce the new report and recommendations which will guide the industry over the next 5 years.

Overall, performance up to 2007 was good, but the strong headline growth in visitor numbers, and the exceptional growth in domestic demand, partially concealed a number of weaknesses including; the loss of price competitiveness, weaker growth from traditional higher spending markets, and a weaker performance of visitors travelling for leisure only. This delivered a poorer than expected revenue performance over the period.

The environment for Irish tourism has changed radically in the past couple of years. The pace, scale and nature of changes to the global and domestic economies have been exceptional and entirely unanticipated. Tourism has been affected like every other sector worldwide.

The environment in which Irish tourism must stablise and return to growth is extremely challenging. But it can be done. The report from the Tourism Renewal Group charts the way. Click here to read the Executive Summary, or the whole report.

October 8th 2009