The British Irish Parliamentary Assembly will be meeting to discuss Employment and Economic Recovery at the Rochestown Park Hotel on 13 and 14 June. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will address the assembly and among the other speakers will be Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland.
Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer said “This is an opportunity to promote tourism to Cork which should not be missed. The invitation to Mr. Gibbons highlights the importance placed on tourism as one of the sectors which can aid recovery.
“Despite a drop in the number of visitors and a corresponding drop in revenue the tourism sector is becoming more competitive. A recent survey by Fáilte Ireland revealed that 30% of tourism businesses expect to reduce prices this year and a further 64% will keep prices at the same level as 2010. Almost half of the businesses who will be reducing their prices said that they are doing so because they are under pressure to reduce prices to compete in the market.
“With a more competitive tourism sector it is another ideal opportunity to carry on the good work of promoting Cork as a holiday destination.
“The meeting of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly presents another opportunity to promote Cork internationally as a prime tourist destination. It is an opportunity to build on the visit of Queen Elizabeth we can reinforce Cork as an attractive destination to our most important market.”
In 2009 tourism generated revenue of €438 million Cork. In the same year holiday makers from Great Britain accounted for 22% of tourism revenue in the South West region, the largest share of holiday makers from a single international market.
Deputy Buttimer continued “Accounting for 22% of tourism revenue holidaymakers from Britain are crucial to success of this sector. This is an opportunity for both direct and indirect marketing of Cork to the British market. We must show the delegates the same welcome that we gave to their head of state; we must show them the highlights of Cork. We can turn our visitors into ambassadors for Cork when they return home.”