Future Challenges

The Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group sets out a target to double overseas visitor spend from €3 billion to €6 billion over the 10 year period from 2000 to 2012 and to increase visitor numbers from 6 million to 10 million. At the halfway stage it appears that the visitor numbers are achievable, but due to changing travel and economic patterns the revenue target will not be achieved.

Tourism Today

• Total Revenue for the Irish tourist industry has grown from €4.3 billion in 2000 to €6.5 billion in 2007 (domestic tourism accounts for €1.5 billion).
• Overseas visitors amounted to 6.2 million in 2000 and reached 7.8 million in 2007.
• The industry sustains over 170,000 jobs in the economy, and supports a further 80,000 in tourism related employment.

How ITIC makes sure that growth is achieved?

To continue growing, we the tourism must:

• Continuously upgrade standards of excellence and value for money.
• Fight for improved infrastructure and better regional balance for the distribution of tourism benefits.
• Seek increased state investment in marketing Ireland as a tourist destination to compliment the industry's own spend.
• Expand our research into Product Development and Regional Distribution.
• Respond to new challenges and maximise the marketing potential of the internet.
• Work with Government to develop Ireland as a carbon neutral destination. 

Most importantly, the tourist industry must maintain, through ITIC, its close working partnership with Government, Tourism Ireland Limited, Fáilte Ireland and the Tourist Agencies North and South. This has been a key factor in tourism's overall success and will continue to play a vital role as tourism moves forward.

ITIC is currently addressing the following issues:

• Supporting the work of the Implementation Group, and participating in the targets review.
• Working with the Agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
• Implementation of the National Development Plan 2007/2013.
• Competitiveness - action to be taken on domestic inflation and the high cost base which affect industry's competitiveness.
• Influencing the Spatial Spread of Tourism.
• Supporting members in the furtherance of their sector's objectives.
• Preparting an Industry perspective on Tourism and the Environment.
• Participating in the midway review of New Horizons for Irish Tourism.