Response from Tourism Ireland to 2007 Estimates
Tourism Ireland welcomes the increase of 12.5% for the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2005 announced by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O"Donoghue T.D. today (16 November 2006).
>Paul O"Toole, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland said: "As the organisation responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas, we are delighted at the increase in the Tourism Marketing Fund to €45m. The fund will strengthen our ability to deliver fresh solutions to the challenge of marketing Ireland as a destination in a changing international environment and will underpin our drive to achieve renewed growth from the North American and New and Developing Markets in particular.
2006 saw the largest ever marketing budget for the promotion of Irish tourism and the roll out of our new global advertising campaign and international websites. It now looks like the Minister"s confidence in the sector is being rewarded with record numbers of overseas tourists reported this year to date. We are hoping to repeat and build on this success next year on the back of this increased funding and will be launching details of our 2007 strategy to grow overseas tourism to the island of Ireland on 4 December next," said O"Toole.
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For further info: Fiona Scott, Media & Public Relations Manager: Tourism Ireland
Tel: 01-476-3429