Sir, - I refer to your published correspondence and articles on the subject of Irish tourism and in particular to the letter from the Minister (August 8th). I have waited for some official tourist organisation to express resentment at the Minister's implication that those of us who are involved in the tourist industry are keen to benefit from the work of his Department and of Bord Failte but are reluctant to support the latter organisation financially. His letter gave the impression that he looks upon the Irish tourist industry as a `Mickey Mouse' operation. I think this is most unfortunate and that it is important that the enormous value of tourism to the Irish economy in general should be widely known. The official Government figures regarding tourism in 1997 are pretty impressive:
1. Total tourist spending in the 26 counties during the year was £2.8 billion, of which £2.1 billion was spent by foreign tourists.
2. Total Government revenue from the industry was £1.4 billion, of which £1.1 billion came from foreign spending. From every pound spent by foreign tourists here the Government took 57 per cent.
3. The total value of exported goods and services from Ireland in 1997 is estimated at £40 billion. Tourism accounted for 5.3 per cent of exports and 6.3 per cent of GNP. Goods sold to tourists have a very low import content in comparison with other "exports".
4. Tourism is responsible for 119,300 full-time jobs which represent 8.8 per cent of all Irish jobs.
5. It is accepted that tourism has the ability to create jobs and wealth in areas which are deprived of both.
6. It would be naive to think that the official figures represent the whole picture so the total benefit to the country must exceed the official figures.
7. I believe that in the light of the above facts it is difficult to believe that the Minister resents spending 2.2 per cent of Government revenue in grant-aiding Bord Failte - an organisation which obviously does a fantastic job. I also think that before condemning the industry the Minister should find out how much each organisation which is involved in the industry spends on promoting itself abroad and in ensuring that tourists when they do come here receive a welcome and a standard of service which will ensure that they not only return but encourage their friends to come here.
8. The Minister's proposed levy on tourists is inadequately described as DAFT. One has to wonder from whence such asinine ideas come. Rather than waste time on such proposals I suggest the Minister spends more of the expanding Government revenue on getting rid of our litter problem, cleaning our waterways and ensuring that tourists are fully protected throughout the country from petty crime.
9. Finally, I would suggest that in future the Minister for Tourism should be the Minister for that industry only. The business is great fun, but it is neither sport nor recreation. - Yours, etc., Donald M. Pratt,
Avoca Handweavers,
Kilmacanogue,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.