The proposed national conference centre at Spencer Dock would bring between 50,000 and 70,000 extra visitors a year to Ireland and add £50 million in revenue, the head of the Irish Hotels Federation told the hearing.
Mr John Power, the federation's chief executive, said there had been 40 per cent growth in the number of Irish hotel rooms in the past four years. In Dublin, the growth was 65 per cent.
Studies had shown that the average visitor to a conference spent £900 during the visit. One in three visitors to conferences spent more time in the country, arriving early and staying on afterwards, so that their visit also benefited the regions. In total, the conference centre would add £50 million to visitor revenue and £28 million to Exchequer receipts.
Dublin was in fashion at the moment, but sustaining that was a matter of concern, particularly in view of the large number of added hotel rooms. "Dublin needs a national conference centre, and all European capitals have one", Mr Power said.
The business sector had been a very strong factor in the number of visitors coming to Ireland, and conventions were being promoted by Bord Failte. Business people from abroad looking for a venue for conferences sought out certain major hotel chains, which Dublin now had, but they then looked for a national conference centre, which other European cities could provide.
Mr Power said that the economic impact of a national conference centre would be from sources outside the State.