Businesswoman Ms Gillian Bowler has been appointed chairwoman of the new tourism development authority Failte Ireland which will replace Bord Failte and CERT.
Fáilte Ireland will be formally established on Wednesday, May 28th when Bord Fáilte and CERT will be dissolved and their functions transferred to the new authority.
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Mr Shaun Quinn, formerly chief executive of CERT has already been appointed chief executive designate of Fáilte Ireland.
Speaking at the launch of Fáilte Ireland in Dublin today, the Minister for Tourism Mr O'Donoghue said the new body would focus on improving visitors' holiday experience while in Ireland.
Explaining the function of the new body, the Minister said that tourism industry is at a pivotal point in its development and the factors central to our success to date are not necessarily the ones to carry it forward into the future.
"With the establishment of Fáilte Ireland we will have, for the first time, an organisation dedicated to excellence in both product and service, the twin experiences of the tourist visitor to Ireland", said the Minister.
Bord Fáilte was established in 1955 to promote tourism in Ireland. CERT, meanwhile, was set up in 1963 to co-ordinate the education, recruitment and training of personnel for the tourism and catering industry.
Other board members Failte Ireland include the journalist Ms Maureen Cairnduff, Mr Noel O'Callaghan of O'Callaghan Hotels, Mr Patrick O'Donoghue of the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry and Kerry GAA football manager and publican Mr Páidí Ó Sé.