BORD Failte's grant in aid has been increased by 2 per cent to £22,380,000. The chairman of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, Mr Eamon McKeon, said it was a modest increase as a major campaign was launching an international brand image for Irish tourism. "Still, I suppose it is better than the cut in Bord Failte's grant last year," he added.
The chief executive of the Irish Hotels' Federation, Mr John Power, said tourism was not mentioned in the Estimates' press release, "even though our industry is about to become the single biggest national employer". The sector contributes £1.25 billion in tax revenue, Mr Power said.
He hoped the Budget would contain an extra allocation to help to fund the international brand image. Bord Failte has not succeeded in getting a commercial sponsor to back the brand. Guinness has declined to become involved. Microsoft is providing an Internet web site, but no cash.
In a statement, Bord Failte welcomed the provision for tourism and said the industry can look ahead with confidence to next year. Bord Failte and the private sector bare expected to spend about £7.5 million next year on the new brand image.