Air route agreement ‘would give 1bn boost’

IRELAND will welcome two million US visitors annually by 2014, representing a hike of 1 billion to the economy, if the open skies agreement is passed next month.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) which held its 69th annual conference yesterday in the Slieve Russell, Cavan, believes the change of policy will be a major boost to Ireland’s tourist industry.

If confirmed next month the agreement will lead to an increase in direct air routes from the US.

The IHF said the current regulation, which restricts non US Airlines to operating direct flights to Ireland from only four US cities, has been a major obstacle for the potential growth of US tourism for the Irish market.

Effects of the increase in travel will roll out through the country, as US holiday makers spend longer in Ireland than any other nationality and tour more extensively, according to the IHF.

American tourists lead the visitors in spending here with an average of 800 dolled out here by US tourists compared to 500 from other overseas guests.

President IHF Annette Devine, told the 400 delegates: “Ratification of the open skies agreement represents a win-win situation all round for Irish tourism.

“We know that there is definite interest by airlines to add extra air routes to Ireland from the US. The aim is to increase from four the number of gateway cities in the US from which non US airlines can fly directly to Ireland.

“With the international tourism market becoming so competitive and the availability of increased low cost access to competing destinations, Ireland cannot afford to become complacent and this new open skies agreement offers tremendous potential for our industry,” she said.

To prepare for the increase in tourists following the approval of the open skies agreement, the IHF called for a 10 million per year marketing fund for the Shannon region over the next five years.

Ms Devine, said the airport will face new challenges which need an effective marketing strategy to sustain and increase direct transatlantic air traffic to the airport.

“The 10 million annual fund would enable the implementation of a focused marketing campaign in key markets that have direct flights into Shannon while reinforcing the tourism brand of Ireland West.

“While the Government’s commitment to commence work on the N18 Ennis-to-Galway route in early 2008 is to be welcomed, this must go hand-in-hand with increased investment in marketing if tourism and business activity levels in the Shannon region are to be maintained and grown in the new air transport environment,” she said.