Tourism chief highlights importance of competitiveness

The President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Richard Bourke today highlighted the importance of retaining and building competitiveness within the EU as he addressed delegates on the eve of a major two-day EU conference in Dublin entitled Charting Tourism Success.

Mr Bourke stated that competitiveness and stimulating market demand must remain the priority for tourism and that all EU regulations should be complementary to these objectives.

In welcoming the 200 conference delegates at a reception in Jurys Hotel, Ballsbridge, Mr Bourke said: "Competitiveness has become a hugely important issue both here in Ireland and at a European level.

"After all, the EU now competes in a world market.

"Tomorrow's conference hosted by Fáilte Ireland will focus on the issue of competitiveness within the tourism industry and will, I hope, address some of the areas that are currently impacting on Ireland's competitiveness."