Tourism funding increase widely welcomed

Tourism Ireland and the Irish Hotels' Federation has welcomed the increase of 14% for the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2005 announced today.

Paul O'Toole, chief executive of Tourism Ireland said the funding comes as Tourism Ireland is launching its marketing strategy for 2005 in the coming weeks.

"The fund will underpin the roll-out of our ambitious marketing plans and strategy for 2005 which will be announced to our partners in the tourism industry in early December," he said.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has also welcomed the increase of 14% in tourism marketing.

Federation chief executive John Power said he hopes the additional funds, coupled with the €200m the industry itself spends annually on marketing activity both at home and overseas, will result in refreshed campaigns in major markets.

He said the refreshed approach is urgently needed in the important British market, which is showing continuing signs of weakness.