Representation

The Tourist Industry, through ITIC, is represented on a number of National and Industry associated organisations. This enables the Industry to bring a commercial tourism dimension to the strategies being pursued by these bodies.

1. The Social Partners (Towards 2016)

ITIC is a member of the Social Partners (Business Panel), participates in all plenary and ordinary meetings and serves on the relevant working committees.

2. Tourism Marketing Partnership (TMP)

ITIC, together with Northern Ireland Industry representatives, is a member of the TMP, which was established within Tourism Ireland to advise on the allocation of funds for overseas destination marketing.

This level of representation gives the Industry, North and South, a direct input into the advertising programmes and funding for each key tourism market and also facilitates much greater cohesiveness in the national marketing spend by both the public and private sectors.

3. Tourism Ireland Limited

The Industry through ITIC is represented on the Board of Tourism Ireland. The composition of the Board of the company strongly enhances the concept of partnership between the public and private sectors.

4. Fáilte Ireland – Representation

ITIC is represented on the Board of Fáilte Ireland and on the Boards of the Fáilte Ireland Regional bodies. Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Agency and was incorporated in 2003 by the amalgamation of the functions previously carried out by Bord Fáilte and CERT. 

5. Tourism Strategy Implementation Group

The Tourism Strategy Implementation Group produced its final Report in Spring 2006. Following representations from ITIC, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue, TD appointed a new Implementation Group to continue the monitoring progress on the New Horizons for Irish Tourism programme. This Group produced its final report in May 2008, which among other things recommended a review of the targets and strategy contained in the New Horizons for Irish Tourism 2003-2012.  This report was presented to Minister Cullen and the review is expected to commence shortly for completion before the end of 2008.

 
6. Western Development Tourism Programme Ltd.

The Tourist Industry is represented through ITIC on this Board by Carol O'Gorman of Town & Country Homes Association.

7. Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS)

This important organisation does excellent work in assisting any visitor unfortunate enough to require assistance or advice as a result of an accident or theft during their visit to Ireland. ITIC is represented on ITAS by Paul Carty of The Guinness Storehouse.

8. North American Market Review

A major review of the vitally important North American market was carried out under the auspices of Tourism Ireland, and reported in November 2006. The advent of Open Skies in 2008 presents a major opportunity for Ireland to more fully exploit the true potential of this market. The industry was represented on this working group by Dick Bourke presently Chairman of ITIC, Eamonn McKeon, Chief Executive of ITIC, John Leonard of Accolades Marketing and Patrick Delaney of the Ovation Group and the Irish Tour Operators Association. The Report's findings and recommendations are currently being implemented.  Following on from this report, a further study was carried out by Tourism Ireland on Business tourism prospects from this market.  This report was completed in Spring 2008 and its recommendations are currently being implemented.

9. Product Development Strategy Group

This group operated under the auspices of Fáilte Ireland and recommended a strategy for tourism product development for the period up to 2013. Its findings and recommendations were published in February 2007. The Group was Chaired by Dan Flinter and ITIC representatives were John Power, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, John Healy of Abbey Tours and the Irish Tour Operators Association, and the ITIC Chief Executive Eamonn McKeon.

10. Emarketing Strategy Group

This Group was formed by Tourism Ireland to finalise an emarketing strategy which will serve Irish Tourism in the international marketplace for the next 5 years, and to develop a 'next generation' website. The new website was launched in 2006, and is frequently amended and updated.