What We Do

ITIC brings value to the Tourist Industry by:

• Identifying and championing strategic issues essential to the continuing success of tourism in Ireland.
• Commissioning authoritative independent research to assist industry planning.
• Stimulating co-operation and discussion between organisations involved in tourism.
• Communicating effectively with policy makers, the media and the general public.
• Building partnerships with official bodies.
• Leading the way forward, as the voice of Irish tourism.

ITIC's Influential Role:

Since its foundation in 1984, ITIC has become an integral part of the decision-making process on policies and procedures affecting tourism. ITIC is represented at national level on the Social Partners forum. ITIC is also represented through its nominees on the Boards of Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and regional tourism bodies. Representation by ITIC members on committee structures within the Tourism Marketing Partnership enables ITIC to participate in the marketing planning process and to ensure complementarity with the industry’s own major investment in overseas marketing.

Other priorities for ITIC include:

Developing new directions for Irish tourism

The ITIC-commissioned report, Strategy for Growth Beyond 2000, set the agenda for advancing Irish tourism. Many of its recommendations were included in the National Development Plan 2000-2006. More recently, the key recommendation of the Economic Impact Report published in October 2002, to set up a Review of Tourism was actioned. ITIC prepared a comprehensive submission for inclusion in the new National Development Plan 2007-2013 which was published in 2007. Tourism received high recognition in the N.D.P including its own programme and a funding commitment of over €800 million over the period of the Plan, broken down as follows;

International Marketing €335 million
Product Development €317 million
Training and Human Resources €149 million

Ensuring the voice of Irish tourism is heard

A central tenet of the ITIC philosophy is to vigorously lobby Government, the EU, public representatives and opinion leaders on tourism issues that are relevant to the industry - everything from Budget amendments to the maintenance of a favourable fiscal environment that encourages competitiveness. ITIC also represents the industry within a number of other important organisations, including the Business Pillar of the Social Partners.

Researching potential growth opportunities

The ITIC Research Programme provides a solid foundation for long-term planning and development. Government and State Agencies have adopted many of the strategic approaches identified through our studies. Research reports, commissioned by ITIC, cover such issues as the Economic Impact of Tourism in Ireland, a Strategic Framework for Tourism Enterprises, a Strategic Approach to Tourism Planning and Regional Distribution of Tourism. Other Reports have dealt with Competitiveness of Irish Tourism, Marketing Expenditure by the Irish Tourist Industry, the Spatial Spread of Tourism and Seasonality, the Impact of Tourism on the Economy and the E.U. Climate Change proposals.

Strategic Review of Tourism

Following the key recommendation in the ITIC Report entitled “Economic Impact of Tourism”, the Minister for Tourism established a Tourism Policy Review Group. ITIC, together with a number of Industry Associations made formal submissions to this group. The Group produced a major strategic report called New Horizons for Irish Tourism. This Report charted a direction for Irish Tourism which set targets of 10 million visitors generating €10 billion revenue by 2012.  A halfway review of the programme is being carried out in 2008. 

Staying in Touch

ITIC's Public Affairs Programme keeps the media up to date with activities and organises targeted briefings for journalists on specific tourism issues.