Despite recent upbeat reports regarding an increase in overseas visitors to Ireland in 2011, Fáilte Ireland warned against any complacency in the tourism sector this year, during its annual tourism industry briefing for the Cork region held today.
The national tourism development authority stressed that the hard lessons and good work of the last few years will need to continue and will be central to maintaining a momentum towards a full recovery in tourism. To assist that momentum, Fáilte Ireland will be working hand in glove with local tourism businesses in Cork.
Fáilte Ireland CEO, Shaun Quinn stressed:
“Although 2011 was an encouraging year, there is no room for complacency. We must all remain focussed on doing all we can to maintain a momentum towards recovery. Fáilte Ireland, through a mixture of marketing, supporting tourism businesses and developing attractive tourism destinations, will work closely to boost the full potential of the Cork region in 2012.”
Fiona Buckley, Head of Operations for Fáilte Ireland team in the South West, explained that a key focus for Cork in 2012 will be to support both existing and new businesses in their efforts to win a greater share of the international tourism market and particularly focus on European markets with direct access from Cork airport and on the UK, capitalising on the profile generated from visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.
Ms Buckley emphasised that activities being carried out by groups such as the family fun group in East Cork, the adventure group in West Cork and Ballyhoura and the angling group in Cork harbour are vital in adding to the variety of quality and entertaining reasons to visit the area. The work of the Cork Convention Bureau in encouraging conferences to the area was generating a significant return to the local economy.
Events such as Cork Jazz Festival, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Kinsale Arts Week and the Masters of Tradition are hugely important to the tourism development of Cork this year. Note for Editor
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, was established in 2003 to guide and promote tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy.
The tourism and hospitality industry employs an estimated 170,000 people and generates almost €5 billion in revenue a year.