Growth of 6% likely in tourist numbers

The outlook for the tourist season is excellent, the chief executive of Bord Failte, Mr John Dully, said yesterday, with the target of a 6 per cent increase in visitors within sight. Mr Dully was speaking at the opening at the RDS of the biggest tourism promotion launched by the tourist board and the trade.

Mr Dully said the strength of the dollar and sterling was greatly assisting the surge in numbers from the US and Britain. Of the countries in the euro zone, Ireland was consistently gaining market share from European competitors, Mr Dully added.

"There are also signs of a breakthrough in the Japanese market," Mr Dully told The Irish Times. This is a market Ireland has been struggling to crack for some years, according to Mr Dully. "The success is not linked to the fickleness of Riverdance; there is a real interest in things Irish."

The chairman of Bord Failte, Mr Redmond O'Donoghue, told the opening of the Ireland Travel Trade Workshop 2000 that Ireland's tourism growth was increasingly attracting the attention of competitors. "Out there, it's like war," Mr O'Donoghue said. Mr Dully added that they were aware of the presence in Ireland of consultants working for Scotland and Portugal who were studying the development in this State of an international golf "product".

Opening the workshop, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said: "Throughout the sectors of the economy, there has never been a better time to do business with, and in, Ireland, not least when it comes to tourism. Right now, our product is the envy of many of our European neighbours."

In the workshop, 750 members of the travel trade are exhibiting their wares to tour operators from 32 countries. After the workshop, the tour operators have been invited to sample the products at first hand both in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The target for Britain - the largest market - is for a 6 per cent growth in numbers. Air carriers are optimistic, though sea carriers said June was looking soft and expressed some concern about a drop in the number of foot passengers.

Reports from carriers, tour operators and the trade in Ireland are unanimous that 2000 will be a very good year from the US. Bord Failte has a target figure of 8 per cent. Already, the airlines are saying bookings are up by 10 per cent.

The target from Germany is 4 per cent. After a couple of disappointing years, Bord Failte says the situation in the German market is now healthy, with bus tours and cruising holidays particularly well booked. A German website address, advertised on television, has resulted in a "huge" increase in Internet enquiries.